Mattie Ruth Hurley Edmondson

Mattie Ruth Hurley Edmondson, 95, daughter of Mary Tula Green Hurley and Claude Eledore Hurley, passed away Thursday night, May 9, 2013, after a long struggle with her health. Visitation for Mrs. Ruth Edmondson is at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Macon Road, on Sunday, May 12th from 2 until 4 pm. The funeral will be Monday, May 13th, 10 am Central Time at Green’s Chapel United Methodist Church, which her great-great-great grandfather founded and built. Green’s Chapel is located outside of Wedowee, Alabama.

Ruth was the fifth of seven children of Mary Tula and Claude, and was the lone surviving child of the family. She loved especially her mother, and was a wonderful cook, in addition to being a marvelous mother and wife. When her husband, Herman, became ill and passed away with pancreatic cancer, she worked a full-time job, spent the evenings with him caring for him both at home and in the hospital, until late night every night, rising to work early and caring for her son as well.

Ruth was employed by Columbus Mills, working there on River Road until she was 80 (full-time), leaving the workplace only when the mill itself closed. In her youth, she and her sister left school for a year to care for her ill mother, after which she returned and completed her high school diploma, her senior year. She was then admitted to the University of Alabama Medical School’s School of Nursing. Due to family circumstances (it was the Great Depression and finances were a problem for many) she returned home and went to work for the Palm Beach Company in Roanoke, where she later met her future husband, Herman. (She remarked that she would take the taxi to work – he was at the time a taxi driver – so she could see him, rather than just walk to work.)

She was the widow of the late Herman L. Edmondson, and is survived by one son, Michael, and several nieces and nephews, to include Cynthia Hurley, Terry Hurley, Gayle Foster, and Sharon Greenwood.

Ruth loved her brothers and sisters, but especially adored her mother, Mary Tula, with whom she is now reunited. She also loved and adored her son Michael, who though heartbroken, knows she is in a place of peace, with no more pain, walking again and talking with her mother.

Though flowers will be accepted, if you prefer and wish to, you may make donations to either of the following: Green’s Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Alice Ware 745 County Road 46, Wedowee, Alabama 36278 or to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com

She was a strong woman, a loving mother, and will be missed more than can be expressed. You have run the good race; you have fought the good battle. Well done, my good and faithful servant. May light eternal be yours.