Ruth Cooper Billings

Ruth Cooper Billings, 76, of Salem, slipped peacefully away and joined her husband Walter on Monday, February 3, 2014. She was born in Roanoke County, a daughter of the late George C. Cooper and Iva McPeak Cooper and had been an area resident all of her life. She was a faithful member of Fort Lewis Baptist Church and was employed in the banking industry for many years prior to retirement. She was a wonderful homemaker, and her greatest joy was her role as wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Freddie and Julian Cooper, and a step-son, Richard Billings. She is survived by her daughter, Susie Argabright and her husband Phil; three sons, Danny Billings, Tommy Billings and his wife Melissa, and Walter Billings, Jr. and his wife Debra; two brothers, Lawrence Cooper and his wife Susan, and Curtis Cooper and his wife Peggy; three sisters, Polly Louthen, Deanna Kesler and her husband Tom, and Helen Dede; four sisters-in-law, Katherine Cooper, JoAn Jones and her husband Sherman, Wanda Chapman, and Geraldine Athan; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Billings and his wife Pat; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members and friends. The family would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Richfield Recovery and Care Center for all of the care, love and devotion shown to Ruth during her time there. Funeral services will be held at 11AM. Friday, February 7, 2014 at the Chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM, Thursday, February 6th at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association 2728 Colonial Ave. SW, Suite 2, Roanoke, VA 24015. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.