Ruth Allston is Joe's wife. Ruth is a gentle woman who leads with her heart before her head. Ruth adored her only child, Curtis, and often took his side against Joe even when Curtis treated her poorly as a result. Ruth often took Curtis back into the home after he made mistakes that left him unable to support himself even though Joe was against coddling the boy in that fashion. Later, when they meet Jim Peck, Ruth sees in him the son she lost. Ruth makes the argument to Joe that they should allow him shelter because someone like them might have once provided the same shelter to their own son during his many years of wandering.