Ruth K. Bryan's Obituary
Ruth K. Bryan, 97, of Melrose, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, in St. Augustine, Florida, surrounded by family who adored her. Ruth was born on November 3, 1928,in Denver, Colorado to parents Henry and Nellie Klaas. Her parents met when Henry was recovering from a serious leg wound, for which he had been awarded the Purple Heart, and Nellie was the chief dietician at the hospital where he was receiving care. They married and had three children Richard, Henry and Ruth.
Tragedy struck on May 7, 1933, when Ruth and her parents were involved in a devastating automobile/train accident. Ruth survived, but both of her parents lost their lives on that horrible day. Ruth and her older brothers were placed in the care of the family. First with their father’s brother, Will, then his sister Pauline. After living with family members, Ruth attended boarding school where she developed the discipline, resilience, and determination that would define her throughout her life.
Ruth later moved to Melrose, Florida to complete her last two years of high school. During that time, she met the love of her life, Bobby Bryan. The two were married on June 6, 1947, and on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Ruth will be laid to rest alongside Bobby on what would have been their 79th wedding anniversary.
Ruth and Bobby raised their two children, Idell and Steve, together. They lived in both Gainesville and Jacksonville before buying a sandwich shop and setting roots in Waldo, Florida in 1967. That sandwich shop became Bobby’s Hideaway, the family business for 35 years. Ruth was the backbone of the business and worked tirelessly wearing many different hats. Ruth had many customers and employees that loved her dearly.
Ruth was a woman of many talents. She enjoyed painting, making crafts and floral arrangements. Christmas was always special because you knew your gifts would be wrapped beautifully with bows, she often made herself and with her special touches everywhere.
A woman of deep faith Ruth enjoyed attending church with her daughter, Idell and her grandson, Rick. She drew strength from her faith throughout her life. She also enjoyed sitting on her porch watching her hummingbirds come to their feeders.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Nellie Klaas; her beloved husband Bobby Lee Bryan; her children Idell Beckham and Steve Bryan; her son-in-law Ricky Beckham; her brother’s Dr. Richard Klaas and Henry Klaas.
Ruth is survived by her daughter-in-law, Kelly Bryan; her grandsons, Rick Wilkins (Rhonell), Stevie Bryan and Michael Bryan, her great-granddaughters, Rikki Hunt (Kenley), Randa Whitehurst (Will), and Harmony Bryan; her great great-granddaughter, Teagan Terrell, as well as other nieces and nephews and extended family members, especially the Brown family for their love and sweet gestures over the years.
I would like to thank the late Dr. Richard Klaas for taking the time to document some of their earlier years, the family trees of several families, and his children for talking him into it. To my dear mother-in-law it was an honor to be your daughter-in-law for 35 years and an even greater honor to be your caregiver. Nana and I miss you so much and I still look for you just like I do my Stevie. I love you, Sunshine!
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Williams-Thomas Downtown, 404 North Main Street. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Forest Meadows East Cemetery, 3700 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Susan G. Komen Organization in Ruth’s memory or any charity that is special to you.
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