Ruby Renstrom

Ruby Harwood Renstrom, age 95, of Madison, Tennessee, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on July 5, 2023. Ruby was the beloved wife of Billy Renstrom, who entered Glory in 2012, and the third child born to Carl C. and Mildred Harwood. She was sister to Carl Jr., and Mary, all of whom preceded her in death. Ruby was an amazing pianist who was self-taught and began her ministry playing piano for the gospel quartet from Western Bible Institute (now a part of Colorado Christian University). Ruby's husband, Billy, who lost his eyesight in a landmine explosion in WWII, enrolled at WBI through the GI Bill after meeting the Harwoods when Ruby's father preached a series of revival meetings at Billy's home church in Ohio. He noticed that she had grown into a lovely, talented young woman, and decided to join the gospel quartet so he could spend more time in her orbit; the rest is history. God brought them together in a love story for the ages, and after marriage, Ruby became mother to three sons and one daughter. Chuck (Teresa), Bruce (Valerie), Scott (Susan) and Lorraine. These four children presented her with nine dearly loved grandchildren: Lisa, Lori, Matthew, Brian (who preceded his grandmother in death), Daniel, Adam, LeighAnna, Eryn and AJ, whom they lovingly called Mimi. She was Great Mimi to 20 great-grandchildren and looked forward to welcoming her first great-great-grandchild in August.

Billy and Ruby served at a handful of churches and ministries in Colorado until they moved to Murfreesboro, TN to join the evangelistic team at the Bill Rice Ranch. After Dr. Bill Rice, founder of the Bill Rice Ranch passed, Billy and Ruby were led to enter the field of evangelism, and Ruby drove them across the country many times over, participating with her husband in gospel services as pianist. Upon retirement from traveling, and as her precious husband's health began to decline, they were invited to live in a cozy apartment in the home of their granddaughter, Lisa, and her husband, Roger, where she lovingly cared for Billy until God called him home to heaven. Through the years Ruby served the Lord as pastor's wife, evangelist's wife, valuable and loving partner to her husband throughout his ministry, loving mother to their four children, and eventually as her husband's caregiver. They loved each other and served God together for 64 years.

As a widow, Ruby didn't sit still, and until her move to Tennessee last year, was pianist at Ridgeview Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, CO, under the ministry of Pastor Jud Riley. She also volunteered her time playing mini sacred-music-concerts at area nursing homes. Eventually, Ruby's health declined, and she entered assisted living in Lakewood, CO. Soon after, the Lord made provision for her to move to an assisted living facility in Tennessee, only one mile from her daughter's home. They enjoyed spending hours together each week, touring the beautiful Tennessee countryside, eating often at her favorite Mexican restaurant and attending church together. Ruby attended Bible Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN and enjoyed Pastor Aaron Snodderly's wonderful preaching and the loving fellowship from that family of believers.

The verse Ruby clung to throughout her time in hospital and hospice was Isaiah 41:13, For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Ruby spent hours each day studying her Bible and praying over scores of names on her prayer list. She was a mighty prayer warrior and if you were on her prayer list, then you were prayed for! Now, as she has entered heaven, her greatest prayer would be that all she came in contact with would have come to salvation through the sacrifice of her dear Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross.

Ruby's service will be at Newcomer West Metro Chapel, 901 S. Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80226 on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 12 Noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to The Bill Rice Ranch, 627 Bill Rice Ranch Rd., Murfreesboro, TN 37128.

Ruby's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service