Ruth Beverly Willis

Ruth went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 15, 2014. She was born in Wise, Virginia on November 6, 1930. She was the baby of the family having 3 brothers

and 2 sisters. She is pre-deceased by her Mother, Sarah Elizabeth Hamilton Beverly, her father Fred Beverly, her sister Ann Matz and her brothers Fred Beverly and James Talmadge Beverly. She is survived by her sister Nancy Stallard and her brother Joe Beverly. She is also survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Joe; her children: Phyllis Harper, Edward Willis, Robert Willis, Andrew Willis; Deceased grandson Dwight (Dickie) Cearley who passed away from ALS in 2011, surviving grandchildren: Amy Cearley, MaryAnn Howell, Michele Foster, Ryan Willis, Katie Willis, Nikki Burris; great grandchildren: Camae Cotton, Caelen Cotton, Donovan Shelton, Zachariah Shelton, Tony Howell, Britain Cearley, Jaden Cearley, Leo Moore, Dominique Lane, Scott Jr Foster, Kayla Foster; and 2 great great grandchildren: Zaelyn Cearley and Darion Dowe. She had many nieces and nephews who thought of her as their “favorite” Aunt. She was dearly loved by her family and friends and we already miss her more than words can say.

She was a faithful devoted wife, nurturing Mother and homemaker. She raised her children with unconditional love and discipline to know right and wrong. Her husband Joe was in the military the early years of their marriage and often the responsibility of the home and children fell to her alone when Joe was away serving his country. She was a strong woman who found herself alone in unfamiliar surroundings many times and always was able to take care of herself and her children and make a loving home for her family. Her children grew up in a home filled with love and security and have many wonderful happy childhood memories. She especially went out of her way with little money to make our birthdays and holidays special. Through the years she carried those traditions forward with grandchildren and great grandchildren as well. She was a great cook, excelled in baking cakes, cookies and candies. Family gatherings were always important to her as she dearly loved spending time with her family. She was eager to plan for them and cook special favorite dishes.

When Joe retired from the military in 1962, they moved from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to Orlando, Florida. Joe eventually went to work for the Post Office and Ruth continued her role as homemaker. She took care of her mother-in-law who lived with them for awhile and some of the grandchildren who found themselves at her home for extended visits. After Joe retired from the Post Office and the children had all left home, they moved to Zellwood Station, Florida. Both Joe and Ruth became avid golfers. Ruth made many friends and was active in the Ladies Golf Association. Ruth served on various committees there even after she couldn’t play golf anymore. She so much enjoyed planning fun themed golf activities. She loved to laugh and kid around with her friends and family. Her family always came first but Ruth was usually into a craft of some type, keeping busy making things for her home and gifts to loved ones and friends. She did it all: macramé, ceramics, gardening, sewing, cross stitch, quilting, painting, making Holiday decorations and Christmas ornaments, canning vegetables and fruits. Her other hobbies included reading, puzzles, bowling, bridge, cards and board games. She played to win and was a good sport if she didn’t win which was not too often.

In November of 2012, Joe and Ruth moved to Osteen, Florida to live with their daughter Phyllis and son-in-law Jet. It was a happy time for all of us and we were truly blessed to have those days. In Osteen she spent as much time as possible making cards and working on her scrapbook albums for her children and grandchildren. It was important to her to preserve memories and pictures for future generations. There were lots of card making get togethers with Phyllis and friends where there was always plenty of love and laughter. Ruth and Joe had previously rededicated their lives to the Lord and joined the Baptist Church in Sorrento, Florida where their nephew, Chris Hall was pastor. It was a special day when they were both baptized there. In Osteen, they moved their membership to Calvary Baptist Church. Ruth was always eager to serve the Lord and her church and fell in love with the many new friends she met there. They loved her too and made her feel so special and welcomed. She looked forward to attending whenever she could.

It was her faith which sustained her during the difficult days of her illnesses. Her son Eddie, daughter-in-law Betty Jo and daughter Phyllis were blessed to be able to take care of her at home up to her last two days where she was at Florida Hospital Hospice in Flagler Beach. She truly loved and looked forward to the many visits, phone calls and cards from family and friends during that time. We had a wonderful week for Mother’s Day where just about all of her children and grandchildren were gathered together. We shared a lot of laughs and memories. She often told many of us she was ready to go anytime the Lord saw fit to call her. She was eager to see heaven, the Lord, her beloved Mother, sister and brothers, and her grandson, Dickie, and other loved ones who had gone on before her. We are comforted in our grief with knowing these things. She wanted all of you to know she was assured of her salvation and place for eternity in heaven. She wanted also for any of you who did not have that assurance to make haste to get right with God. She hoped to see all of her loved ones – family and friends – together again with her in heaven one day.