Farish remembered for speaking to Church

Ruby Galloway Farish of Tulsa, who presented the Laity Address at the 1992 United Methodist General Conference in Louisville, Ky., died Feb. 26, 2014.

She was born in 1926 in Delight, Ark. At a church retreat in 1946, she placed a twig on a campfire and committed her life to serve Jesus Christ.

Farish fulfilled her commitment through extensive, passionate service, especially as a volunteer in her community and through Boston Avenue UMC, where she was a member.

Interviewed by the Tulsa World just before her 1992 speech, Farish said knowing and worshipping God motivated her to act.

"We get so filled with his love that we can’t keep from going out there and spilling over in love to the world," she said.

Farish was active in prison ministries, crisis counseling, youth ministry, and more. She co-founded The Parent Child Center of Tulsa, volunteered as a chaplain for the Tulsa Police Department, provided support as a Listener with Resonance Center for Women, and served as a certified mediator. She also was an oblate with St. Joseph Monastery.

Among survivors are three children, Rev. Jessica Moffatt Seay, who is senior pastor at Ardmore-First UMC, Kent Farish, and Karen Miller; and four grandchildren.

Service was March 3 at Boston Avenue.