She was born in Sims to the late Everett and Minnie (Burgan) Covalt. The terrorist bombing on the World Trade Center in New York occurred on her birthday.

She attended the Fairmount Academy, Fairmount, for three years and graduated from Swayzee High School in 1924. She then attended Madam Blaker's, Indianapolis, a girl's school for prospective teachers of young children. She received her bachelor's degree degree from Ball State University and a master's degree from Indiana University in 1950. She loved IU's basketball team.

She married Ransom Bramblet on July 28, 1928. He died Oct. 31, 1999, at the age of 100. They had been married for 71 years.

Cousin Betty Covalt Holmgren was like a sister to Ruth, who had lived with Betty's parents, Fred and Grace Covalt, for many years. They were like parents to her.

Another special person in Ruth's life was Lucero Echeveria Yardon who lived with the Bramblet family for eight years prior to her marriage.

Mrs. Bramblet began her teaching career at Point Isabel School, Green Township, the first year the school was built. She then taught in Marion Community Schools for 33 years -- at McCulloch, the old Emerson School and then ended her career at Frances Slocum where she taught kindergarten.

She loved little children. Many parents of children she taught had been students of hers in earlier years.

After retirement, she volunteered for several years at Marion General Hospital. She also served on the hospital auxiliary board. She was a member of Swayzee United Methodist Church for many years. In recent years, she had lived in Naples, where she was a member of Community Congregational Church of Christ.

She also was a member of the Indiana School Women's Club, the National Education Association, the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, the Grant County Teachers Association, Swayzee Order of Eastern Star 345, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and Marion General Hospital Auxiliary.

She loved her grandchildren dearly.

Survivors include a son, Col. William B. (Irene), Bonita Springs, Fla.; grandchildren, Angela Stuart, Julia, William B. Jr. and Robert Ransom; great-grandchildren, Jennifer Stuart and Eric; a cousin, Morris (Jane Ann) Rybolt; and nieces and nephews, Rosemary (Ivan) Matchette, and Dick (Molly) and David (Marti) Sears.

She also was preceded in death by sisters, Pauline (Frank) Wright and Crystal (Glendon) Sears; and a brother, Milton Covalt.

Services are at 10 a.m. today in Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Rybolt Chapel, 314 N. Washington St, Swayzee, with the Revs. James Matchette and Jeffrey Stedge officiating. Burial is in Knox Chapel Cemetery, Point Isabel.