Obituary of Ruth A. Williams

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Ruth A. Williams at 94 years young, fell asleep in death.  She was a licensed day care provider for at least 25 years.  She loved all of the children she cared for and they loved her!  She was the mother of two children and two grandchildren and they - especially the grandchildren - made her extremely happy every day!

 

Ruth’s greatest and most precious joy came in when she dedicated her life to serve her God, Jehovah, and symbolized that dedication by water baptism in 1958.  Learning about Jehovah and his purposes was a priceless privilege for her and sharing what she was learning with as many people as possible was a joy beyond compare.  In fact, Ruth was able to share encouragement from the Bible with her doctors and nurses until just a few days before her death.  

 

She especially loved sharing Revelation 21:3 & 4 where it says death will be no more, neither will there be mourning or pain because as the scripture says - these things will be things of the past.  Another encouraging scripture that she loved to share is about the future to which she looked forward and we find that at Psalm 37:11 & 29.  There it says, we will enjoy life forever on earth in exquisite delight in abundance of peace!

 

Besides sharing good news from the Bible, she enjoyed music - especially country music, beautiful flowers, going to yard sales and thrift stores with her friends, watching games shows, and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.  Being with her spiritual brothers and sisters at the Valleyview Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses each week and attending the assemblies in Salisbury, NC twice a year and the convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses here in Roanoke, VA in July of every year were also highlights which she looked forward to and enjoyed.

 

Those who preceeded Ruth in death were her mother and step-father, Irene and Isaac Crone; her aunt, Gladys Hall; and two sons, Marvin Williams and Howard  Williams. 

 

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Belva A. Journiette and her husband, Richard L. Journiette, Roanoke, VA; her grandson, Kenneth L. Journiette and his wife, Kathleen L. Journiette, Chattanooga, TN; and her granddaughter, Lisa A. Journiette, Roanoke, VA.

 

Her best and long time special friends include Lillian Neal, Lillie Dowe, Carolyn Finley, Sylvia Webb, and Cynthia Logan.  Ruth was loved by many more, too many to name, and she loved them all so much!  She also had many spiritual sons, daughters, and grandchildren that were special to her, many of whom called her Mom, Momma Ruth, or Grandma. 

 

Our family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (Emergency Room Staff and 8th Floor Mountain nurses and doctors), Roanoke County Barrens Road EMS, Our HLC and HVC Brothers, Good Samaritan Hospice, A. J. Kingery from Cap Stone, and  Simpson Funeral Home. Of course, special thanks to all of our brothers and sisters for all of their prayers, love, visits, flowers,  phone calls, texts, cards, and support of all kinds!  We love you all!  

 

Ruth’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3626 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA 24017.  

 

The Memorial Service will also be available on Zoom Teleconferencing:

 

Meeting ID: 897 8927 2691

Passcode: 676770 

 

There will be a Comfort Meal following the Memorial Service at The Green Ridge Recreation Center,  7415 Wood Haven Road, Roanoke, VA 24019 from 4 - 6 P. M.