Ruth Wade

Ruth Maloy Wade, 106, departed this life Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 at Sunnyside Retirement Home, where she had resided since 1992.

Born Dec. 17, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Emmet J. and Georgia Vance Maloy.

She is survived by a sister, Frances Maloy Rives of Richmond; two nephews, Dick M. Hiner and W. Shannon Maloy; and three nieces, Ellen Stephenson Johnson, Georgianne Maloy Hull and Shannon Rives Trent.

She was preceded in death by four sisters, Susie Maloy, Mary Maloy, Stella Maloy Hiner, Bonnie Maloy Stephenson; a brother, Patrick Maloy; and a nephew, W. Emmet Stephenson.

She started school in a one-room school on the Maloy farm. She was in the sixth grade when the school closed and she transferred to The McDowell School, where she finished high school. She continued her education and graduated from Harrisonburg State Teachers College, which is now James Madison University. After receiving her degree, she continued her education in summer schools at University of Virginia, Radford and Virginia Commonwealth University. She retired after teaching 43 years, all of which were spent in her native county of Highland, except five years spent in teaching at Harrisonburg High School.

During her teaching career, she taught in each of the three high schools in Highland County, and after the schools were consolidated, she ended her teaching career in 1972 as the guidance counselor at Highland High School. She was very devoted to the well being of all the students she taught and helped them choose a vocation. She was proud that former students continued to visit and correspond with her as faithful friends after she moved to the Sunnyside Retirement Home.

She was a life-long member of McDowell Presbyterian Church, and for her faithful service to the church, she was honored with an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women. As long as her health permitted, she was an active member of Presbyterian Women, Stonewall Womanís Club, Sarah Murray Lewis Chapter of the DAR, Highland Bath Retired Teachers Association and the McDowell Extension Club.

A Celebration of Life, conducted by the Rev. Beth Pyles and the Rev. Andre Crummett, was held 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at McDowell Presbyterian Church.

Burial followed at McDowell Presbyterian Cemetery.

At a later date, the Rev. Paul OíGorek, chaplain, will conduct a memorial service at Sunnyside.

Pallbearers were Glenn Siron, Rudolph Siron, Dwayne Harkleroad, William Stuart, Benny Armstrong, Lewis Wilson Shumate, Robin Vance, John Vance, Patrick Maloy, Michael Maloy, Billy Hiner and Jimmy Hiner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McDowell Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 66, McDowell, Va. 24458 or Sunnyside Communities Fellowship Fund, 600 University Blvd, Suite L, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801, or a charity of choice.