Ruth Marie (Ramey) Schonasky Martin

Ruth arrived 5 Sep 1927, in Hagerstown, Maryland. Parents James Lewis (1895-1939) and Anna Laura (Smedley) Ramey (1892-1973); had Elsie and Warren in Front Royal, the rest arrived in Hagerstown. Her siblings were Elsie Kathleen Rosen Figgins; Warren Hansboro (Kathleen); Edna Mae Saulnier; Earl Lewis; Howard Robert (Janice); and Thomas Calvin (Juanita). Her father and brother Warren worked for the "Alexandria Gazette' before moving the family to old town and founding Artcraft Printing on King Street, where at age 8, she could run the presses.

Ruth worked as a Switchboard Operator for C&P Telephone Co. and later as a receptionist for CAS Accounting. She volunteered with the USO, helped in the school library, and was a Cub Scout den mother. She also helped to establish a historic landmark in King George.

Ruth married William Raymond "Bill" Schonasky at Dahlgren in 1951; they had 7 children. Raymond Chandler "Ray" (Gloria Berry); William Calvin "Billy" (1956-1977); Deborah Ruth "Debbie" Frazier; Anna Marie Wehr Shoemaker; Teresa May "Terry" (Chris Addington); Robert Warren (Patricia Hundley); and Oscar "Wayne". Ruth's children are her life, she had nicknames for all her girls and her youngest son. Debbie was her Debbie Dear; Anna her Brown Eyed Beauty; Terry her Blondie Girl; and Wayne her Pride and Joy. Bill knew she loved roses, especially red, so he planted rose bushes all along both side yards; encouraging their children to pick them and take them to her.

She married again in 1984 to Francis Ansley Tolson "Frank" Martin who had 2 grown children. Barbara Jean Evans Becker; and Robert Martin (Cindy). Frank took her places, traveling anywhere he or she wanted to go, but she loved Virginia the most. Upon returning, she would say, "Home Sweet home, nothing like it".

Ruth’s love of reading began as a young child when she would sit on her father’s lap as he read the newspaper to her and her siblings. She especially loved the comics. During storms and troubled times, Ruth would read and pass the scriptures (her favorite being Psalms 23) around amongst her children, just as her father did with his family. She cherished her daughter Anna, with whom she lived her last 7 years, reading her novels.

Ruth had a perfect memory, as the only one in her family to remember her brother Earl, that lived just 1 day, she championed her son Robert to find him, and now he has a headstone. If the hairdresser told a story of her husband's partner's neighbor's sister's friend, she would remember it all 20 years later, even the name of the dog. Ruth kept Hallmark and the Post Office in business; by writing songs, poems, letters and cards to family and friends; commonly sending 100s of cards at every occasion, she never forgot anyone or missed a birthday or holiday. Ruth enjoyed Roller Skating and shopping with her best friend Ann, she never bought a thing for herself without buying something for someone else. They were so close we all thought Ann was our aunt. Ruth also loved Betty Boop, Coca-Cola and the color blue.

Ruth loved a wide genre of music: Orchestras, Big Band, Swing and Jazz. She loved instruments like the trumpet, fiddle, violin, and banjo, especially the piano. Ruth along with her siblings would sing and dance while their father played a Banjo or Violin on the Radio Station, becoming friends with Arthur Godfrey. Her father even taught her to tap dance. She would play records or turn up the radio to sing and dance her way through daily chores. Now she is singing and dancing, like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, in the clouds.

Ruth's Legacy consists of 7 children, 2 step children, 18 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, totaling 44, with numerous future bundles of joy.

Grandchildren: Sharon Evans (Bob Cantrell), John Evans, Katherine "Kate" Evans (Robert Raisor Jr), Christopher Martin (Erica), Nathaniel "Nathan" Frazier (Tiffany), Lauren Hundley (Chris Richardson), Sarah Hundley (Jonathan Morris), John Wehr II (Jona), Bryan Frazier, Julia Hundley (Brian Self), Brittany Berry, Daniel Addington (Sarah), David Addington, Amy Addington, Brittany Shoemaker, Raymond Schonasky, Jacob Addington and Evan Schonasky.

Great Grandchildren: Hillary Martin; Elizabeth, William, Katherine, and Ben Cantrell; Jennifer Zemmel and Grace Evans; Alexandra Netherton; Kellan and Keagan Frazier; Jessie and Jazmine Wehr; Warren Addington; Alex Hundley; Avery and Autumn Morris; and Sawyer Self.

A viewing will take place from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM (Noon) on November 6, 2020; at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S Washington Street in Alexandria, VA; with the Funeral Service taking place at 12:00 PM. Livestreaming can be viewed thru Demaine's Facebook page available for those unable to attend (especially due to COVID19). Additional information can be found at www.demainefuneralhomes.com. Bishop John Read from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will officiate.

A gravesite prayer and dedication will be conducted at 1:30 PM on November 6, 2020; at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S. Kings Hwy, in Alexandria, VA. Burial in Monticello plot 516, site 2 (next to son Billy).

Ruth was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, brothers, brother-in-laws, sisters, sister-in-laws, a son Billy, and a step daughter Barbara. Her trials and tribulations are over, she valiantly endured them all. Her spirit now resides in Paradise where she is surrounded by her loved ones witnessing angels singing and trumpeting her victorious return. All that she strived for, hoped for, and prayed for is hers: Peace, Joy, Happiness, Eternal Life and Celestial Glory.