Ruth N. Payne, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Sunday morning at Careage of Whidbey, on April 22, 2007, where she returned to the loving arms of her heavenly father.

Ruth was born Oct. 8, 1920, in Sanger, Calif., the daughter of the late Jesus and Simona Nunez.

She was a very kind, loving, caring friend, neighbor, grandmother, aunt, sister, wife and mother of her eight children. Ruth was always sensitive to the needs of others and never hesitated to express her love for you. She moved to Whidbey Island in 1987 with her husband of 30 years, Richard Payne, to be near some of her children and to assist in caring for their ailing father, the late Jerry Sanders.

Ruth and her husband, Richard, purchased a home right across the street from her youngest daughter, April Sanders, and her two loving grandchildren Kyle and Alicia Landry. All of whom took special loving care of her in the past year.

Ruth overcame many obstacles at a young age, with the death of her first husband and father of her first born son, Richard Garcia. She then married her second husband, Jessie Campos, the father of her daughters, Marie and Isabel. She was very devoted to the Campos family, especially to Grandmother Campos.

She then married her third husband, the late Jerry Sanders. As an officer’s wife in the military, Ruth was always a wonderful hostess and had a special flair for entertaining. She traveled extensively and most enjoyed her many years spent living in Japan with her family. Ruth was a fabulous cook and took great care and pride in her home, her family always came first.

Ruth was an avid animal lover, her toy fox terrier “Jake” was her special boy, he was always by her side. Ruth was happiest when she was working in her yard or spending time with her family. For the majority of her life she worked in the care giving industry and then became a registered surgical fitter. In her later years here on Whidbey, she and her husband worked for Tara Property Management, taking care of numerous properties and vacation homes.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Payne; sister Sara Hernandez, and her eight children, Richard Garcia, Marie (Fred) Benton, Isabell (Jim) Volden, Sharon (Randy) Bills, Karen, Janet, Mark and April Sanders; 17 grandchildren, 13 great-grand children, many nephews, nieces, and cousins all of whom she loved dearly.

Ruth is preceded in death by her grandson, David Garcia, nephew Kenneth Parvin and her parents.

Memorial services will be held Friday, April 27, at Visser Funeral Home, 432 3rd St. Langley. There will be a Viewing at 3 p.m. Funeral services are at 4 p.m., interment to follow at the Langley Cemetery. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 6 p.m. at 5291 Coles Rd., Langley.

Our Mother will be in our hearts forever . . .