Chaw Hla (Ruth Chit Hla) was born on December 29, 1937 , in Hpa-An, Min Si, Karen State, Myanmar , the youngest of seven children of Mr. Tun Hla and Mrs. Hai Hai .

She studied at Myaung Mya High School and later trained as a nurse at Yangon General Hospital , where she earned the Blue Staff qualification . She faithfully served as a nurse in Myanmar— Kyaiklat (1960), Pyar Hpone (1965), and Ma Oo Bin (1966–1967) —before retiring in 1997.

In 1961, she married Captain Jack Thein (deceased). Together they had two sons, Sunny Saw and Saw Tin Soe (deceased). She was blessed with two grandsons , whom she dearly loved.

After retirement, she moved to the United States , living in Maryland (1997–2016), Indianapolis (2016–2023), Maryland (2023–2024), and Fort Wayne, Indiana (2024–2025) . She continued nursing and was known for her kindness, supporting students, ministers, the elderly, and those in need .

Her favorite hymn was "Because He Lives" , her life verse was Jeremiah 33:3 , and her warm greeting at church was always "Shalom."

On September 27, 2025, at 6:15 a.m. , Ruth peacefully fell asleep in Jesus at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne , due to heart complications. She was 87 years old .

Her funeral will be held on October 3, 2025 , at FairHaven Funeral Home , with burial at Concordia Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana . The service will be led by the Fort Wayne United Seventh-day Adventist Church