Ruth McDaniel

Ruth McDaniel 

1921-2023 

Ruth McDaniel, a well-known and long-time resident of Peralta, passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, just 64 days short of her 102nd birthday.  

Ruth McDaniel has been a resident of Peralta since the late 1950s. Ruth was born on Dec. 19, 1921, in Chickasha, Okla. to John Grover and Carrie Lee (Watson) Cleveland. Ruth had nine siblings and grew up in Clovis.  

She married Alfred Zera McDaniel in Clovis on June 24, 1941, and they were married for 75 years.  

During WWII Ruth lived in San Diego while her husband Alfred was serving in the Navy. She worked in a parachute factory and sold cosmetics at a drug store.  

After WWII Ruth and Alfred lived in Wyoming, Montana, Albuquerque and finally Peralta.  

Ruth had a deep love for God, family, and friends. Ruth loved music, singing and beautiful plants and flowers. She was a member of the El Jardin Encanto Garden club for 55 years and became a charter member. Ruth attended classes to become a New Mexico Master Flower Show Judge and had lifetime status.  

She judged the flower shows at the Valencia County Fair, Bosque Farms Fair and the New Mexico State Fair from 1970 to 2010. Ruth served as the New Mexico State Garden Club District Director for 2 terms and was involved with the creation of the Albuquerque Garden Center.  

Some may have seen Ruth spreading her love of gardening in classes at Peralta Elementary or may have had her as a substitute teacher in the early 1970s.  

Ruth served as the choir director at the Methodist Church for 16 years. She was a founding member and deaconess of the Los Lunas Seventh Day Adventist Church, where she shared her ministry through music and her beautiful flower arrangements.  

She also was active in the women’s ministry where she enjoyed many friendships.  

Ruth is proceeded in death by her mother, father, eight siblings, her husband, Alfred Z. McDaniel, and daughter, Corliss Grubert.  

Ruth is survived by one sister, Louella Seale; three daughters and their husbands: Jo Anne and Wally Bowman, Jo Marie and Alan Balok and Cora and Ed Hernandez, and Chuck Grubert, Corliss’s husband.  

She also has eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  

The funeral services will be held starting at 10 a.m. with a visitation, followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Romero Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment will take place at 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 23, at Santa Fe National Cemetery.  

Pallbearers are Alan Balok, Landon Balok, Ed Hernandez, Edward Hernandez Jr., Ryan Hernandez and Elisha Romero.  

Ruth loved flowers so all expressions of sympathy, including flowers, are welcome. Flowers may be sent to Romero Funeral Home in Belen prior to the service.  

Please sign Ruth’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com, Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, N.M.