Ruth James Cording, age 96, a resident of Escondido, California, and formerly of Wheaton, Illinois for 76 years, died Monday, May 5 at Aegis of Escondido in Escondido, California. She was born on May 23, 1911, in Auburn, New York to Edward and Zella James.

Ruth married Edward A. Cording on July 23, 1935 in Auburn, New York. A graduate of Wheaton College (BA 1933) with a major in literature, Ruth received the Distinguished Service to Alma Mater Award from Wheaton College in October, 1996. Ruth and her husband were long-time members of the Wheaton Bible Church.

Teaching and writing have been a large part of Ruth's life and ministry. She served as college archivist, special instructor in children's literature, and for many years assisted in the C.S. Lewis Collection at the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College. She was a member of The National League of American Pen Women, Chicago Branch.

She has authored and published a number of books including, C.S. Lewis, A Celebration of His Early Life (2000), The Joy of Remembering Our Guests (1982), and The Joy of Remembering Our Children (1984). The Ruth James Cording Welsh Language and Literature Collection was opened in 1993 at the Wheaton College Archives and Special Collections.

Ruth was gifted in hospitality, a devoted wife and mother, and enjoyed the fellowship of family and friends and the ministry of the church.

Her beloved husband of sixty-two years, Edward A. Cording, was executive director of the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College from 1948 to 1970; professor emeritus; and also worked with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) from 1971 to 1990; he died August 12, 1997. Ruth's brother, Dr. Paul S. James of Deltona, Florida preceded her in death in July, 2001.

Ruth is survived by three children, Dr. Edward J. Cording (Norma Cording) of Savannah, Georgia, Robert P. Cording of Valley Center, California, and Dr. Margaret Cording Petty (Thomas Petty) of Boran-sur-Oise, France; and her grandson, Evan James Cording of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A memorial service will be held Monday, May 12 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Wheaton Bible Church at Main and Franklin, Wheaton, Illinois. Interment will be private at Wheaton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Wheaton College, designating the Edward A. Cording Scholarship Fund.