* Ruth Whitaker; Ex-School Librarian

A memorial service will be held Jan. 9 for Ruth Elizabeth Taylor Whitaker, who died at age 90 in Longview, Wash., on Nov. 30.

Whitaker, who was born on Aug. 4, 1908, in Santa Paula, was a lifetime resident of Ventura County. She graduated from Santa Paula High and Occidental College in Los Angeles. She spent most of her adult life in Moorpark, where she was the librarian at Moorpark High School.

Whitaker was an active member of the Moorpark Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Fortnightly Club, Rotary Club and co-chair of the Moorpark Tops. She was named Outstanding Citizen of Moorpark in 1970.

Whitaker and her father, John B. Taylor, were experienced equestrians and charter members of the Santa Paula Riding Club. In 1927, Whitaker was the Ventura County rodeo queen and represented Ventura County at the Salinas State Fair.

Whitaker was preceded in death by her husband, William Whitaker, who ran Whitaker Hardware Store in Moorpark; her brother, J. Gould Taylor of Camarillo, and a sister, Belle Taylor Shinn.

She is survived by her son, Larry Mills, also of Longview; brother John B. Taylor III of El Centro; grandson Chris Henderson; great-granddaughter Brittney Henderson of Santa Paula, and nine nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Women’s Fortnightly Club for the Ruth Taylor Whitaker Memorial Fund, c/o Mary Schwabauer, 12681 Broadway, Moorpark, 93021.

*