Posted on 12/09/2019
Ruri Igarashi Wootten (May 16, 1932 - November 30, 2019)
Ruri Igarashi Wootten was born in Aomori, Japan, on May 16, 1932. Settling in Fort Mill, S.C., after leading a full life of 87 years, she went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 30, 2019. Ruri grew up in rural, mountainous Japan as the youngest of six children. Against the background of post-war Japan and Japanese culture, she had a strong independent and adventurous character, exemplified by the fact that she married an American serviceman and moved to the United States with her son.
She adapted well to her completely new surroundings, spending most of those years in Durham, NC, where she expanded her already proficient Japanese cooking skills to include southern fried chicken, fried pork chops, and spaghetti. However, she never got the hang of making homemade biscuits! She also became an accomplished seamstress, artist, and award-winning cosmetologist.
In 1986, she married Carl Wootten, a US Naval Academy graduate and submarine veteran. Accompanying Carl wherever he was working, they traveled the world together, managing to visit 28 countries in the process. She also enjoyed every minute she was able to spend with her grandchildren, Jessica and Joseph.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and all her brothers and sisters in Japan as well as her first husband, William Horne. She is survived by her husband, Carl Wootten; her son, Eddie (Beverly) Horne; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; as well as four grandchildren and one great-grandson from Carl.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Dec. 21, 2019 at Forest Hill Church in Fort Mill, SC. In lieu of flowers, please make donations made in Ruri's honor to Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.
Robertson Funeral Home and Cremation Service
10310-300 Feldfarm Lane
Charlotte, NC 28210
704-752-7710 (phone)
http://www.throbertson.com/index.php/service-info-and-obituaries/1265-ruri-wootten-november-30-2019