Ruth Tuttle Vedra Crittenden

Ruth, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster in Charlotte, NC.

Born February 15, 1929, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, she was the daughter of John Mark Tuttle and Mary Waters Horner. Following graduation from Elizabeth City High School, Ruth furthered her education at Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia, where she earned a BS in Nursing in 1953. Ruth furthered her education with post graduate studies at the University of Virginia. Her career as a nurse began in Puebla, Mexico, as a missionary teaching nursing for the Baptist Church. She then worked as a civilian nurse for the US Army in Munich, Germany, where she was the head of the pediatric unit at the American Army Hospital. She held many leadership roles as an RN until retirement in 1987.

Ruth was very social and enjoyed keeping up with her many friends and was always up for a game of bridge. She loved to travel and experience different cultures and had the opportunity to travel the world. A lover of animals, she was a strong advocate of their rights and was an active member of the SPCA. Ruth also loved to paint and was a very accomplished artist and happy to help beginners get started.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura (Richard) Bettison; and three beloved grandchildren, Jeff (Emma) Bettison, Walker Bettison and Will Bettison. In addition, Ruth is survived by her step-sons and their children as well as her niece, Cheryl Mitchell, grandniece, Brandi Mitchell and many cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Marion Tuttle, step-father, T.A. Chambers, first husband, Charles W. Vedra and second husband, Geoffrey H. Crittenden.

A service to celebrate Ruth’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 4 at Old Hollywood Cemetery in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The family will receive friends following the service.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the ASPCA www.ASPCA.org or Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region www.hpccr.org/donate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Crittenden family.