About Ruth Junene Briggs
Ruth Junene Briggs, 89, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona, where she was attended to and visited by many members of her family in a celebration of her life.
Born in 1936, Junene was the second child of her parents, James and Ruth Jones. In 1946, her family moved to Hawaii, where she developed a deep love for the islands and their people. She graduated as part of the first class of the Church College of Hawaii (now known as BYU–Hawaii) in 1956. She later attended BYU–Provo, where she earned a degree in Education. Shortly thereafter, she married her sweetheart, Ernest Tom Briggs, in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1958.
She taught fourth and fifth grades in both American Fork and Brigham City, Utah, later served as a teacher for Rio Salado Community College after earning her master’s degree, and was also a successful realtor.
In 1964, she and her husband moved to Tempe, Arizona, where they raised and nurtured five beloved children—Kristine (Bob), Kathy, Scott, Mark (Chris), and David (Aby) —who blessed her with many grandchildren, as well as great- and great-great-grandchildren.
She had a deep passion for serving the Lord, which led her to serve three missions with her husband for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador, Nauvoo, and Salt Lake City.
Services will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 2265 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa, AZ 85209.
A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m.
Flowers may be sent on Wednesday, April 1,2026 by 4:30pm to Bunker Funeral Home, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
