Ruth Vest Strickland

Mrs. Ruth Vest Strickland, age 97, of Johnson City, passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Bertha Vest. In addition to her parents her husband, Howard Lee Strickland; one daughter, Nancy Lee Strickland; three sisters, Helen Gurule, Hildred Hoffman and Isabelle Lacey; one brother, Buddy Vest also preceded her in death. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She served her family, church and community with love and devotion in everything that she did. She was a dedicated employee of JC Press Chronicle until retirement, an avid reader and traveler who shared her excitement and experiences with all of us. Her delight was her grand and great grandchildren. She was a huge supporter of the betterment of community and activities of the community and the church. She was a founding member of Midway Baptist Church. She was Sunday School teacher, Organist, Pianist, Choir Director and Youth Director over a period of many years at Midway Baptist, and Veterans Administration Chapel. She was a member of Tacoma Church of God were she played the pianist in her youth. As president of PTA and Community Club she was aware of the needs of the schools and her Community. Her drive for improvement for the community inspired her to seek a position on the Washington County School Board. She was the first elected woman to the Board and was a part of the successful building of Midway gymnasium/cafeteria, Jonesborough High School, which is now middle school, Cherokee and other District 8 accomplishments during her term. We, her family, feel a great loss but feel privileged to have shared time with such an extraordinarily special person in our lives. We will have our happy memories of 'mom', 'granny' and 'noo noo' and love will bind us all together as she did as our matriarch. She is survived by her daughters Phyllis Shipley and late husband Ross Shipley, Fay Hall and husband Jim Hall, Joanne Saults and her husband Ronald; grandsons David Shipley, Phillip Shipley and wife Julie, Kathy Street and husband Doug, Ronald Saults and wife Tammie, Timothy Saults and wife Cassey; and her joy, her great grandchildren, Maggie and Catie Shipley, Ross Alan Shipley, Eric and Dustin Street, Rachael and Becky Saults, Liberty and Calista Saults. Many thanks to her caregivers from hospice during her last days. Her mind was still sharp but her body weakened. The funeral service for Mrs. Ruth Vest Strickland will be conducted at 4 PM Saturday, September 1, 2012 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Pastor Rick Ballard and Rev. Bill Taylor will officiate. The graveside committal service will follow in the George Mottern Cemetery, Elizabethton. Active pallbearers will be grandsons and great grandsons. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 PM Friday prior to the service.