Ruth Beard Thomas

Ruth Beard Thomas, 90, of Providence, NC peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on October 31, 2011. Formally of Raleigh, NC, Ruth moved to Providence, NC, in 2003 to be close to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.

Ruth was born in Nash County, North Carolina, to the late John Edmund Beard and Octavia Brantley Beard on July 11, 1921. Ruth met her late husband, Lester Harvey Thomas, while they were both stationed in occupied Japan. She was working with the US Army Special Services in Osaka, Japan. Ruth and Lester were married in 1949 in the Bailey Methodist Church.

Ruth spent much of her career as an elementary school teacher in both Jacksonville, FL and Raleigh, NC. Ruth and Lester were long time members of St. Marks United Methodist Church in Raleigh and, after moving to Providence, attended Shady Grove United Methodist Church. She volunteered and was a member of numerous church and civic groups.

Ruth is survived by her son Richard Earl Thomas, son Michael Lester Thomas, daughter Barbara Thomas Seamster and husband Michael Henry Seamster, grandson Daniel Garrett Seamster and wife Beth Staniforth-Seamster, and sisters Lovie Shelton, Octavia Bowman and Betty Frazier.

Her family will receive friends Friday evening, November 4, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, in Providence, NC and, at other times, at 791 Seamster Road, Providence, NC. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 5, at 1:00 pm at Bailey United Methodist Church, Bailey, NC. Interment will follow the service at Bailey Town Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 1650 Shady Grove Road, Providence, NC 27315.