Ruth H Lane

On this Mother’s Day, May 10, 2015, God called home a strong and beautiful woman of faith and love. Ruth Elizabeth Hickerson Lane, born January 21, 1939 in Nashville, Tennessee took her journey and joined her beloved husband Howard, her parents Hugh and Mary Hickerson and her loving little sister Bonnie Marie Hickerson Ellis.

She is survived by her children, son Mark Bonner Lane and wife Cynthia Johnson Lane , eldest daughter Micki Leigh Lane Porcello and youngest daughter Melody Beth Lane Pisani and husband Danny Edward Pisani. She adored and was truly admired by her grandchildren, Shelby Lee Lane, Charlton Elizabeth Porcello and Jesse Lelan Hickman.

Ruth was named after her father’s favorite woman of the bible and so fitting it would be. Ruth means “friend” “loyal” and “beautiful”. She certainly exuded those characteristics along with unsurmountable strength, courage, bravery and honest love for those close to her. Ruth was also well known and forever remembered for her humor, quick wit and sass. But most of all, she is remembered for her ability to give all of herself to her loved ones and friends without expectations of any return. When she wasn’t taking care of her family, she was always, always there for a friend in any way needed. She continued to support her lifelong church long after she wasn’t physically able to attend.

Ruth was born with an innate ability to grow anything! It was as if God’s hands were inside of hers in that everything she contributed to the earth blossomed and flourished into brilliant colors and greens and like her, made the world a more beautiful place. She was truly gifted in the garden and took great pride in her stunning creations. Creative and artistic are understatements in describing her many talents. The hours and hours she would spend on sketching, making clothing, costumes, wedding dresses, bouquets, dolls, curtains, crocheted delicates, and remodeling old furniture. There was nothing this woman couldn’t make beautiful. It all came so easy for her and such joy she received from it.

When she wasn’t being full-time mother, this overly energetic and spirited woman was the CEO and Operations Director of our home, doctor and nurse, chauffeur or ambulance driver, landscaper and car mechanic and chef extraordinaire; she was a loving and loyal wife to her one true love, Howard. The nights she spent waiting anxiously for him to come home safely from patrol, sleeping with one eye open she would hold him and kiss him every single day as it were the last. She always made sure that he had what he needed as he worked hard for our family and she happily took on the rest. Together, they made certain we never needed for anything and their unity was such an example of true love. She actually managed all of these obstacles simultaneously with grace and without complaint. She loved her full chaotic life to the fullest and was always thankful for what God had blessed her with.

Oh how she enjoyed the simple things like her backyard swing, summer nights on the porch with her closet friends catching up over coffee while the neighborhood children ran rampant in the night. The community cook-outs and parties, family gatherings, and other events…she loved being right in the middle of it all. She was one of the first to respond to community tragedies like the flood in the late 70’s, house fires, comfort and food for families who had lost loved ones and medical emergencies. She was always so selfless, infallible, loving, generous, kind and supportive. So many people have so many fond memories of her and what she meant to them. Ruth was truly unique and a bright light in the lives of everyone she met.

What she meant to her husband and children is of the usual nostalgia that anyone reading this will understand or come to expect. But for her children, the children of Ruth…she was our individual superhero, our best friend and confidant, loving arms and strong shoulder, protector and guidance counselor and a woman of wise words and honest love and devotion. Mom never told us “what, how, when or why” to do things in life. She sat back and let us make our own choices and if we failed or steered in the wrong direction, she never judged…she just loved. We never for one moment had one doubt that mom was there. Even as we grew older, moved into our own worlds and had babies of our own, she was there holding quiet vigil over each of us…still…loving without judgment or expectation.

Ruth, Ruthie, Mom, Momma, Nanny, and Mawmaw…daughter, mother, grandmother, friend, advisor, and matriarch. She is, was and will always be blessed, cherished, adored, admired, and painfully missed.

The circle of life has come to a close for this beautiful woman with so many titles. She touched so many hearts and impacted so many lives by her very existence as well as by her passing. Though she is no longer with us in our world, she lives in the eyes and hearts of those of us who remain, surrounded in her light and love. In John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, 25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

For what remains of this family, her family, her children, grandchildren and those great grandchildren yet to be born, we believe.

MOTHER, FRIEND AND HEART

Your journey was long and left you so tired and worn

But you are free now; sing, dance, laugh…no longer torn.

We will cry for you and reach out for you as we always do,

But we are made of you and will never be without you.

There are no lies of strength and courage here,

Your children miss you, long for you and hold you dear.

We will survive because that’s what you taught

Every single day, you will be far more than a thought.

You are forever our teacher, our life, our heart and soul

You are our mother, our friend and you will keep us whole.

You are all things real and good, beauty and truth

You are forever loved and cherished…you are Ruth.

Micki Porcello

05/12/2015