Obituary for Ruth Davis Guthrie
On Thursday November 28, 2019 Ruth Davis “Granny” Guthrie, 104 of Roanoke formerly of Salem, joined her Savior, Jesus, and the open arms of her family and friends who also were awaiting her in Heaven. She lived a long, happy life, always giving the love in her heart to others. Awaiting her were her husband, Richard Cleaveland Guthrie, longtime engineer of Roanoke’s beloved “old J-611”; her son. Richard Thomas Guthrie; mother, Lillian Davis; her father, Robert Haskins Davis; and stepmother, Arelia Creech Davis.
Those surviving and missing her are her caregiver and daughter-in-law who always called her “Mom”, Carolyn Guthrie; granddaughter, Melissa Ruth Elyard and husband, Russell; great-granddaughter, Lillian (Lilly) Belle Elyard. Also surviving are nieces Kim Ferguson (Steven), Sandy Schelsky (Walter) and their children; cousin, Mildred Gilbert and her children; her best friend, Pat Dyer; and last but not least, her very special furry pals, Harry Winston, Keeley, Crystal, and of course, Farley.
Born October 17, 1915 in Falls of Neuse, North Carolina, and after the loss of her mother at a very young age, she graduated from Durham High School and received her nurse’s license from Duke University where she continued to work for 10 years. She married and moved to Salem, Va., where she was an outstanding nurse at Lewis-Gale Hospital and retired from Lewis-Gale Medical Center due to a medical condition. A longtime member of Salem Baptist Church, she received great joy from her Sunday School Class and “The Ball Group” friends. She was well-known for her wonderful cooking skills, especially Christmas goodies. She loved to crochet, travel and be with her family. Ruth was one of two charter members of the Salem ABWA for 25 years, joining the Shenandoah chapter in 1972 and went on to help charter the Salem Chapter in 1977.
In lieu of flowers, it was her wish for donations to be made to the American Heart Association, SPCA, or any other charity of your choice.
The family wishes to thank everyone who selflessly gave of their time, gifts, cards, and especially prayers to Ruth throughout her life. Also, we wish to thank all of the care givers of South Roanoke Nursing Home for their selfless caring, love and devotion they bestowed upon Ruth.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son, Salem, Virginia at 11:00am Wednesday December 4, 2019 with Pastor Tom Clark officiating. Interment will be private. Family will receive friends from 10:30 until service time Wednesday December 4, 2019 at the funeral home
Those surviving and missing her are her caregiver and daughter-in-law who always called her “Mom”, Carolyn Guthrie; granddaughter, Melissa Ruth Elyard and husband, Russell; great-granddaughter, Lillian (Lilly) Belle Elyard. Also surviving are nieces Kim Ferguson (Steven), Sandy Schelsky (Walter) and their children; cousin, Mildred Gilbert and her children; her best friend, Pat Dyer; and last but not least, her very special furry pals, Harry Winston, Keeley, Crystal, and of course, Farley.
Born October 17, 1915 in Falls of Neuse, North Carolina, and after the loss of her mother at a very young age, she graduated from Durham High School and received her nurse’s license from Duke University where she continued to work for 10 years. She married and moved to Salem, Va., where she was an outstanding nurse at Lewis-Gale Hospital and retired from Lewis-Gale Medical Center due to a medical condition. A longtime member of Salem Baptist Church, she received great joy from her Sunday School Class and “The Ball Group” friends. She was well-known for her wonderful cooking skills, especially Christmas goodies. She loved to crochet, travel and be with her family. Ruth was one of two charter members of the Salem ABWA for 25 years, joining the Shenandoah chapter in 1972 and went on to help charter the Salem Chapter in 1977.
In lieu of flowers, it was her wish for donations to be made to the American Heart Association, SPCA, or any other charity of your choice.
The family wishes to thank everyone who selflessly gave of their time, gifts, cards, and especially prayers to Ruth throughout her life. Also, we wish to thank all of the care givers of South Roanoke Nursing Home for their selfless caring, love and devotion they bestowed upon Ruth.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son, Salem, Virginia at 11:00am Wednesday December 4, 2019 with Pastor Tom Clark officiating. Interment will be private. Family will receive friends from 10:30 until service time Wednesday December 4, 2019 at the funeral home