Teresa Ruth

Obituary of Teresa Ruth Teresa M. Ruth, 81, of Leesburg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother died Friday, November 20, 2009. Her father, a hotel chef, moved extensively, living in Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee, among other places. In 1945 they moved to Augusta, Georgia, where Terri graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School the next year. She attended Wesleyan College and Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She worked as bookkeeper for the Life Insurance Company of Georgia in Atlanta and Augusta. After moving to Leesburg in 1962, she was the bookkeeper for United Way. When Lake and Sumter counties combined she set up a new accounting system with the help of Clyde Vann and Dr. Joseph Rhile. Later she worked as office manager for Dr. Malcolm Cox and as head secretary for Dr. Norman Duncan in the Department of Testing and Evaluation of Lake County Schools. Terri Was a 4 time cancer survivor. She was a member of the Leesburg Art Association, which she served as president. She was an accomplished artist in many media, but her favorite was watercolor and her favorite subject was clowns. Terri was predeceased by her infant son, Peter Eugene, twin brother of Teresa Renee. She is survived by her husband of nearly 61 years, Dr. Lester Ruth, Jr., two daughters, Lola Bierlair of Leesburg and Teresa Renee Carter (Jerry) of Center Hill, two sons, Charles L. Ruth (Shannon) of Leesburg, and Douglas Richmond Ruth (Angie) of Greenville, SC. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Robert Walker (Jennifer) of Fruitland Park, David Cox (Jeannie) of Stockton, CA, Dustin Bierlair (Michelle) of Sanford, NC, Peter Carter (Kimberly) of Homosassa, Teresa Mae Carter of Center Hill, Kayla Ruth of Wildwood and Abby and Douglas Junior of Greenville and 14 great grandchildren. Terri has been a member of Morrison United Methodist Church for 47 years. She was deeply loved and respected by all who knew her. Visitation The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm, Monday, November 23, 2009 at Beyers Funeral Home. Services Funeral services will be held at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel, Leesburg, Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 11:00 am with Dr. M. McCoy Gibbs and Rev Karen Burris officiating. Interment Interment will be in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Memorials Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Morrison United Methodist Church.