Ruth "Ruthie" Cline

Ruth Anne “Ruthie” Cline, 84, of Chico, California, passed away on October 22, 2025. Ruth Anne was born on January 31, 1941, in Red Bluff, California. The youngest of nine children, Ruth Anne was precocious, creative, loving, and full of personality. She loved to laugh and to make others laugh — even when she was not trying to!

Ruth Anne lived in a colorful world full of imaginative possibilities. While a homemaker to her five children, she ran a business as a wedding cake decorator/supplier at a shop called The Cake Walk and out of her home. She worked at Safeway on Mangrove for many years, decorating cakes for the community. She also did volunteer work including a brief tenure as President of the Chico Junior Women's League and leading cake decorating groups for her local 4-H Club. Ruth Anne baked whenever she could, and fresh cakes, pies, or cookies were always a staple during visits to her home. Ruth Anne was also a distinguished local artist, showing her works in various shops around town. Her paintings and drawings of flowers, animals, landscapes, and portraits can be found in the homes of her children and grandchildren — a testament to her warmth and artistic soul.

Of many things to note about Ruth Anne, her devout and unwavering commitment to God and to love were golden threads through every milestone of her life. She regularly attended church, led prayer groups and Bible studies, volunteered for a prayer hotline, and helped members of the community whenever she could.

“She would dodge the butterflies while driving,” said her son, Russell.“Yes, and pull to the side of the road to pray for the folks passing in an ambulance” added her daughter, Mary, and son, Alan.

Ruth Anne instilled in those around her a value system that released judgment and met people where they were, no matter what their circumstances. She trusted in God to take care of her. As she said, “The Lord did not lead you out on the limb just to leave you hanging there.” Her faith admirably guided her in everything — and in so doing, she guided others.

She is survived by her pride and joy, her five children: Alan Williams and his wife, Diane; Wade Williams and his wife, Patty; Russell Williams and his wife, Connie; Mary Miller and her husband, Philip; and Matthew Jacobs. Ruth Anne also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Heidi Butler, Alan Williams Jr., Amber Williams, Natalie Wood, Hailey Hilton, Joel Williams, and Alec Williams; and eleven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Ruth Anne's life and mass will be held at St. John’s Cathedral on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peg Taylor Center of Chico or the Dementia Society of America.

To know Ruthie was to know love — in its purest, most delicate, and most vibrant forms.