Ruth Long Carlton

Ruth Long Carlton

Ruth Long was born in 1936 in Beaver, Pennsylvania.  She grew up in Worthington, Ohio.  Following Worthington high school graduation, she went on to college at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio with some summer classes at Ohio State University in Columbus.  She graduated from Bowling Green in June of 1958 with a degree in home economics with a major in retailing.

Ruth was ready to venture out on her own.  She and a sorority sister moved to Cleveland to start their new lives.  Ruth quickly landed a job with Halle Brothers, the high-end and very fashionable department store in downtown Cleveland.  She was employed as a Junior Buyer.  While fashion retailing sounds pretty glamorous she quickly adapted to the hard work of the business.

She and her college sorority sister rented an apartment in a new high-rise at Shaker Square, at that time the trendy place to live with easy Rapid Transit train service to downtown social life and her job.  She had embarked on a fun metropolitan life.

During the late 1950s downtown department stores were struggling.  New suburban malls and ultimately big box retailers were draining away the most desirable customers.  Seeing the writing on the wall, Ruth decided to move on.

Stouffer’s, which today is known for packaged frozen prepared meals, was a pioneer in the chain restaurant business. They had white tablecloth restaurants scattered around the country.  And they ran them in a very scientific way.  All their menus were produced centrally in their headquarters in Cleveland.  Data from the sale of each menu item was collected each day including item popularity and portion control.  And each menu item had a description line which had an important effect on the success and profitability of that item.

Ruth got a job In Stouffer’s advertising department as a copywriter of these “Yummy Lines.”  Each day she could see the results of how effective what she wrote was.  Stouffers headquarters was populated with bright young talented professionals.  She had a fun job in a fun environment.

She became active in the Cleveland advertising community and decided to take an Advertising Club continuing education course.  That is where she met Mike Carlton. 

Ruth and Mike were married in 1962.  Like many young couples they were looking forward to creating the ideal American family.  Two children.  One boy and one girl.  And all would live happily ever after.

But pregnancy didn’t happen.  And the doctors didn’t know why.  So, Ruth and Mike decided to adopt.  Over the years the family has grown.  It should be noted that Mike and all of their children are products of the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools. 

Here is Ruth and Mike’s family.as of today:

David Carlton – their first child - died of leukemia when he was five years old.  While his life was short, his legacy is great.  His influence shaped the family.  Subsequent adoptions were inspired by him.  His spirit lives on.

Andy Carlton is married to Beth, a nurse and religious book author who has MS.  They live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  They have two grown daughters, Megan and Rachel who have multiple degrees and work in the social services field.  Andy is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia.  He is in private practice as a sales trainer and motivational speaker.

Matt Carlton and his wife Nancy live in Chesterfield, Virginia.  They have two school age sons, Will and Jack.  Nancy is a full time mother who is also a physical fitness trainer.  Matt is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and has done additional study on turf management.  He is the golf course superintendent for an upscale club in southern Virginia.

Jamie Carlton lives in Twinsburg, Ohio.  He has a daughter in college Jaime who is successfully writing and singing Christian music.  Jamie (note the spelling difference) attended Mount Union University in Alliance, Ohio, followed by an extensive tour as a Sergeant in the United States Marines.  He is responsible for all custodial functions for portions of Solon, Ohio City Schools.

Linetta DeMoss lives in Palm Bay, Florida.  She has one grown son, James.  She attended Barbizon Modeling School and was manager of a convenient store.  She and her husband, Dave who was a builder, thoroughly enjoy retirement and the Florida lifestyle.

Oscar Sotomayor Elias lives in Guatemala City, Guatemala.  He and his wife Maria Magdalana (Alana) have three children, Oscar Adrian, Juan Miguel, and Hellen Raquel.  Oscar has a degree from San Carlos University in Guatemala City.  He has had a long career in hospitality and most recently was the general manager of the Biltmore Hotel in Guatemala City.  Alana describes herself as the neighborhood’s street mom and is very active in the church.

It should be noted that Oscar and Alana’s son Juan Miguel has followed in his father’s footsteps and after achieving an advanced business degree from San Carlos University he married Jennifer Amanda (Jenni) and they have recently given birth to Ethan Mateo.  He is Oscar and Alana’s first grandchild and the first great grandchild for Ruth and Mike.

Sarah Carlton Fergus attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio and now lives in Warrenton, Virginia near Washington DC with her long-time partner Chaz.  As an interesting twist, Mike grew up in Chagrin Falls with the couple who became Chaz’s parents.  Sarah’s high school age son Michael lives in Mantua, Ohio with his father Martin who has become sort of an adjunct member of the family.

Ann Carlton Ramsey and her husband Mark live in Solon, Ohio.  He is a police officer.  They have two school age children, a son Hunter and a daughter Isabel.  Ann is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island and has a bachelor’s degree in food service management.  She has pursued a career in restaurant management with a sabbatical while her children were pre-school.

Dan Carlton is married to Jenn (one of three girls named Jennifer in the family) and they live in Cary, North Carolina.  He is a graduate of Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. They have four children, Gracie, Bryce, Owen and Juliette who their mother Jenn focuses on full time.  Dan is the founder of The Paragraph Project which provides strategic guidance to marketing firms.

Jenny Carlton is single and lives in Chicago, Illinois. She has a bachelor’s degree from Mount Union University in Alliance, Ohio and a master’s degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.  She has cerebral palsy so it is appropriate that her career is focused on the special needs of disabled individuals and has worked in human resources in both the academic and private sector.

This group has a strong bond that they continually celebrate.

Ruth was exceptionally well known in Geauga County where she served for many years as a social worker for Jobs and Family Services.  She championed and led the Child Awareness Training Program which helped protect children from child abuse.  Ruth’s energy and compassion touched the lives of countless area residents.  She was so highly respected that when she retired the conference center at Geauga County Jobs and Family Services was named for her.

Ruth was 85 years old and succumbed to a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia complicated by Parkinson’s Disease.  She passed peacefully on Sunday February 20,  2022 at home with Mike her husband of sixty years by her side.  And surrounded by her large and loving family.

The Carltons are long-time Chagrin Falls residents and members of the Federated Church. 

Should you wish to help support the child welfare activities that were most important to Ruth, you may make a donation to:

Special Services of Geauga Co.

C/O Geauga Co. Job and Family Services

12480 Ravenwood Dr.

Chardon, Ohio 44024

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday July 30th 2022 at the Federated Church 76 Bell Street Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Carlton House.

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