Obituaries

Ruth Kramer Grimes

Photo of Ruth Kramer Grimes
Ruth Kramer Grimes passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at home. She was born October 28, 1928 in Little Rock, Ark., a daughter of the late William Simon and Carolyn Whitmore Kramer. She was the middle of three sisters who excelled in all athletic venues, especially swimming and diving. At twelve years of age she lied about her age to get a job to help with family finances. The money she earned was always shared with family and friends. Even at this early age Ruth loved doing special things for others. Ruthie has "as she always said" been lucky to live in New Orleans for 60 years and work in real estate for 50 of those years. She was affiliated with several real estate agencies before finding a home at Latter and Blum Inc. Through hard work, fair and honest dealing, Ruthie rose to the top echelon of her field receiving "Top of the Latter" status so many years that she was permanently inducted into this elite club as a lifetime member. She was top sales and listing agent in the greater New Orleans area for several years and was awarded the Realtor Emeritus award for 40 cumulative years of membership in the National Association of Realtors. Her job was her "joy" and many of her clients and colleagues became lifelong friends. She provided a matchmaking service for several of her single clients by selling them a house and then introducing them to their future spouses. She mentored many of her colleagues, always willing to share her knowledge with new agents to help them succeed. Ruth was the ultimate team player. Ruthie was an active member of the Women's Auxiliary of the New Orleans Geologic Society having been a past president. She also held memberships at "Friends of the Cabildo", "Audubon Zoo and Aquarium", NOMA and the WWII museum having been a child of "the greatest generation" and a widow of one who served. Ruthie was generous to a fault. She was always ready with a cake, a meal, a basket of fruit or a shoulder to lean or cry on during troubling times. She was loved and admired her family and friends for living life to the fullest. She is survived by her loving daughters Gigi Grimes (Baton Rouge, LA), Jill Grimes Johnson, son-in-law Steve Johnson, granddaughter Abbey Ruth Johnson (Chicago, IL) and sisters and brother-in-law Charlotte Garber, and Rosalind and Myron Stone of Massachusetts. She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years Wayne Harlan Grimes. Family and friends are invited to attend a gathering in her honor at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70124 on Tuesday 30 April, 2010, family visitation from 1-3 p.m. Funeral Service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Cancer Society 2605 River Rd., New Orleans, La. 70121 or a charity of your choice. Please visit and sign the family guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

Published April 30, 2013

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