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With the Lord

Ruth Hopewell, Missionary

ALBION, Ind.—Ruth Hopewell, longtime missionary, died on April 4. She was 90.

From a young age, Ruth committed her life to Christ. She graduated from Wheaton College in 1943 with a degree in missions. God providentially brought to her the one who shared her passion for missions: On July 23, 1943, she married William James Hopewell Jr., also a Wheaton graduate. They partnered in marriage for 66 years before he was called home to Heaven on March 6, 2010.

Dr. and Mrs. Hopewell spent 50 years involved in overseas ministry with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, reaching people with the Bible’s message of salvation. They helped establish Baptist Bible Seminary and Institute in Manila and were part of ABWE’s first missionaries to Chile. At other times they ministered and lived in South Africa, New Zealand, and Scotland, and visited field missionaries on five continents.

Ruth is best remembered for her tireless giving to family and friends, through prayer, music, writing letters prolifically, cooking and baking, and countless other gifts. Her high view of God and Scripture demonstrated that her ultimate purpose was to glorify her precious Savior. She has left behind a priceless testimony of faith and wisdom.

She is survived by her five children, William James Hopewell III, Carol Kilian, Sharon Santamaria, Thomas Hopewell, and Lois Anderson; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

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