Ruth Elizabeth Becker

Ruth Elizabeth Becker

Ruth Elizabeth Becker (October 28, 1899 – July 6, 1990) was an American passenger and one of the last survivors of the RMS Titanic disaster. She was born in British India to American missionary parents.

In 1912, she boarded the Titanic with her mother and siblings, traveling to the United States to get medical care for her younger brother.

During the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, Becker was separated from her family but managed to survive. Later in life, she became a schoolteacher and lived quietly until her retirement. After retiring, she began to share her experiences from the Titanic with others.

After her death, her ashes were scattered at sea above the wreck site, just as she had wished.

Biography

Ruth Elizabeth Becker was born on October 28, 1899, in Guntur, British India. Her parents were American missionaries, and she grew up with two siblings. In 1912, her younger brother became very sick and needed medical care in the United States. Her mother took Ruth, her brother, and her sister on a trip to get the care they needed.

The family boarded the ship Titanic on April 10, 1912, in Southampton, England. The ship was big and comfortable, but on April 14, it hit an iceberg and began to sink. During the emergency, Ruth got separated from her family but survived in a lifeboat. She was later reunited with her mother, brother, and sister after being rescued by the Carpathia.

After this event, Ruth continued her schooling and later became a schoolteacher. She rarely spoke about the Titanic until she retired. In 1990, she passed away at the age of 90, and her ashes were scattered over the place where the Titanic sank.