Yolanda Ruiz

Yolanda Patterson Ruiz, age 70, of Clifton, AZ, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2016 in Morenci with her family by her side. She was born on December 20, 1946 in Superior, AZ to Morgan Patterson and Bertha Ewing. She was born third of seven children, in order, Thomas "Eddie" Patterson, Miranda "Joanne" Davis, Yolanda Patterson Ruiz, Edward Lester Patterson, Charles Patterson, Mary Logan, and Loretta Patterson. She grew up in Superior, AZ and also met the love of her life Ernesto A. Ruiz there. They married on May 31, 1972 and had five beautiful children. They relocated to Clifton, AZ, where they lived out the remainder of their lives. Yolanda became a haul truck driver with Phelps Dodge, and continued her career there by becoming the first woman in the SXEW Plant. She was also titled as a repairman for the smelter. She retired and continued to work as a janitor for Circle R. In her spare time her hobbies included hunting, painting, and drawing. Her passion was living for God, and loving her family. Her grandchildren knew her as g-ma, and each grandchild was not without their own unique special nickname. She gave willingly and freely to every and anyone that was in need. Continuously meditating upon the Lord, Yolanda was a testimony of God's love. Through her battle of cancer her faith never waivered and even in her darkest moments she continued to seek God for her strength and encouraged all her children and friends to do the same. May her life be a testimony of God's grace and love to draw others to him. She is survived by children Irene Mendoza (Vincent), Yvonne Ruiz-Saiz, Ernesto A. Ruiz (Aura), Priscilla Ruiz (Quinton), and Antonia Ruiz, and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Ernesto A. Ruiz, her grandchildren James Ruiz-Smith and Lily Morgan, her brother Eugene Patterson, her sister Caroline Patterson, her mother Bertha Ewing, and her father Morgan Patterson. Services will be held Monday December 26, 2016 at ten o'clock a.m. with a viewing at eight a.m. at the Morenci First Assembly of God Church. Intermediate will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery following services. Contributions to be made at https://www.gofundme.com/yolanda-ruiz-funeral-expenses.