Ruth Laura Wayman of Hermiston died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Nov. 4, 2018 in Hermiston at the age of 90.
She was born on May 3, 1928 in Oroville, Calif. to Louis Otto Payne and Corrine Mae McGuire Payne.
Ruth worked briefly as a beautician in Ceres, Calif. before marrying Loyd William Wayman on March 12, 1949. She devoted the next 39 years to raising their four girls and making a loving home. Ruth and Bill lived in their family home in Orangevale, Calif. for over 40 years before moving to Hermiston in 1990.
Ruth was renowned for two things (besides her fabulous cooking): her cup collection and her love and gift with plants. To say she had a green thumb was truly an understatement. Family would joke that she could pick up a twig or leaf and somehow make it grow into a beautiful plant. From cacti to lush tropical ferns, her yard and house burst with plant life.
Ruth had cups and mugs of nearly every size, shape, color, medium and language. Her collection grew to a one-time count of over 2,000! It began when her husband went on business trips for work and he would bring her a gift from the place or state he had gone. She continued the tradition with additions from trips they made over the years throughout the U.S. and Canada (including the mud-slung trips towing their trailer through Alaska). Friends and family contributed with special mugs or cups they thought she’d enjoy.
Ruth is survived by her four daughters, Cheryl (Gar) Johnston of Fallon, Nev., Paula (Bill) Jennings of Hermiston, TamaLee Brown of Hermiston and Mikelann (David) Clough of Orangevale, Calif. She also leaves 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren; her brother, Walter Payne (Diane); sister- and brother-in-law, Margie Williamson and Larry Wayman;
numerous nieces, nephews, their children and children’s children; as well as the many “adopted” neighborhood kids who called her Mom over the years.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Bill Wayman; sons-in-law, Richard Dean Holmes and Raymond Earl Brown; siblings, Lois Gadke, Bill Payne and Jimmy Payne; her parents; and a stillborn baby girl.
A private family burial will take place in California in March, where she will be interred with her late husband on what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
