Ruth Ann "Ruthie" Byers

Ruth "Ruthie" Ann Byers, 83, passed away Monday, December 26, 2016 at home in McElmo Canyon, CO. Ruthie was born May 9, 1933 and was raised on a farm a few miles North of Cortez, in Lebanon, CO. She married her high school sweetheart, Ellis Earl "Smoky" Taylor (deceased) and worked hard tending to the family. As a housewife, she still found time to add to her family's bottom line working time to time as a waitress then, when finding her entrepreneurial spirit, she ran the concession refreshment counter at the Towaoc Recreation Center, followed by owning and operating a small gas station and quick stop with her second husband, Delbert Risenhoover (deceased) about 10 miles South of Cortez along the highway. She then followed that up by running the Desert Queen Cafe in Mexican Hat, Utah, for a few years. Finally, she leased and then purchased the Cork-N-Bottle Liquor Store on East Main Street in Cortez. Ruthie ran this store for many years before eventually selling and retiring to her small acreage S.W. of Cortez, just north of the airport. Ruthie had a small menagerie of animals: miniature horses, dogs, cats, and birds; a statement to her quiet sensitivity and love for animals. Another testament to Ruthie's love for her animals was the love of her Yorkie "DC". DC was forever at her side and was found dead only hours after her passing, lying at the foot of her chair. Many of Ruthie's last years were spent with her longtime companion, Connie Beckham, who gave her much peace and contentment. They were always enjoyable to be around. Ruthie had a green thumb and enjoyed many hours with her plants. Ruthie was a member of the Southwestern Cowbelles and Red Hat Society. She also loved to go on adventures and trips, like playing with the dolphins and seals in Florida, and she even went parasailing over the ocean with her great grandson Jason in Hawaii several years ago. One of her passions was finding and collecting; antiques, driftwood, or rocks, it didn't matter what, just interesting things, and placing them around her home to enjoy. Ruthie was a good cook when she had time; some of her best items were chili rellenos, fried okra, pork chops, and biscuits and gravy. Ruthie is survived by her children, James "Jim" Taylor; Glenn Taylor; Duane "Joe" Taylor and his wife, Pamela; Leita Hughes and her husband, Tom; Lewis Risenhoover and his wife, "Micki" Michelle; grandchildren, Chad Taylor; Tanya Aguirre; Crystal Chavez; Valorie Westmoreland; Jerrod Hughes; Terry Taylor; Lindsey Taylor; Morgan Macfarlane; Jimmy Risenhoover; Makayla Wood; step daughter, Cindy (Risenhoover) Blackmer; and stepson, Monty Risenhoover, and 14 great grandchildren. Ruthie was preceded in death by her mother, Leita (Belmear) Byers; father, James "Jim" Byers; Brothers; Walter, Jay, Blaine, and Larry Byers; sisters, Leita (Byers) Sieck; Betty (Byers) Litchty; son, Wilbur Taylor, and grandson, Lane Taylor. Ruthie spent her last years at home in the loving care of her daughter, Leita, and son in-law Tom Hughes. The care they gave will always be greatly appreciated by her family. A special thanks to those who Ruthie also thought of as family, which were the whole Conway Wood Family, for their sincere love, support, and friendship over the many years. Ruthie requested no funeral, and was laid to rest in the Lebanon Cemetery North of Cortez, Co. A special thank you is sent out to her caregivers: Janice Grasse, Teresa Gallegos, the wonderful Hospice organization, and Ertel Funeral Home; they were all a comfort at this time. And thanks to those we may have missed and who have been of help and comfort these last days of our dear Mother's life. Ruthie was an independent, determined, and inquisitive soul who was also always willing to help those in need. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.