Mildred Ardelia Ruland

Mrs. Ruland was born in Haralson County, Georgia, and was the daughter of the late William A. McBrayer, Sr. and Dona L. Vaughan McBrayer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry M. Ruland in October 1999. Survivors include a son, Hal M. Ruland (Debbie) and a daughter, Judy R. Roebuck (Dan), both of Rome; four grandchildren, Sydnie Ruland Horton, Seneca, SC, Aubrey Beth Ruland, Denver, CO, Lauren Leigh Smith, Rome, and Benjamin W. Rigas, Rome. Also included are three great-grandchildren; Griffin and Brooks Horton, Seneca, SC, and Poppie Leigh Rigas, Rome. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Mrs. Ruland received her B.S. degree from West Georgia University. Her junior year, Millie was named a Rosenwald Scholar, and awarded full scholarship. She also attended Shorter College, and the University of Georgia. She was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher’s sorority, from 1968 to present, serving in many leadership capacities. Mrs. Ruland was awarded the Marquis “Who’s Who of America” and “Who’s Who of the World” each year from 2002 to 2014. This honor is awarded to distinguished and successful business persons.

Upon moving to Rome, she and her husband were members of the First Presbyterian Church where Mr. Ruland was very active in the music ministry. Mr. and Mrs. Ruland then became charter members of Westminster Presbyterian Church where Mr. Ruland served as minister of music. Since 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Ruland were members of First Baptist Church of Rome. She was very active in the Daniel’s Sunday School Class, served on many other committees, including the Prayer Chain Committee for many years.

Mrs. Ruland was an educator for 30 years; teaching in Atlanta and Brunswick, Georgia and New London, Connecticut before moving to Rome. She was employed by the Floyd County Board of Education teaching at Pepperell Elementary School for 24 years serving hundreds of children in the second grade. She served as grade level chairman for many years and represented her school and county numerous times as a delegate at the Georgia Association of Educators conventions. After retiring in 1983, she began working with her brothers at McBrayer Brothers Furniture Company of Rome, from 1983 to 2005 initially as a sales person and then as manager of all operations. After the death of her brothers, Mrs. Ruland worked with her son, Hal Ruland, as he and business partner, Hans VanEikeren, purchased the business and carried on the McBrayer tradition of offering fine furniture to the northwest Georgia area. She thoroughly enjoyed her time meeting new friends, working with her family and helping people decorate and furnish their homes. Her work with McBrayer’s was recognized with an honorary plaque installed in the Broad Street’s streetscape in the second block of Broad Street in front of the former location of McBrayer Brothers Furniture Company. Above all, Millie loved her family so much, and sacrificially supported and guided them her entire life. Her legacy of selfless love will continue.

A funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church of Rome, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary, with Dr. Floyd F. Roebuck, Dr. Joel Snider, and Rev. Charles Cox officiating. Visitation was held prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:30 at the church. Interment followed at the cemetery at Draketown Baptist Church, Draketown, Georgia.

Pallbearers were: Bill Ruland, Tim McBrayer, Joe Robinson, Hans VanEikeren, Bill McBrayer, Jay Matthews, John Thomas Horton, and Ben Rigas. Honorary Pallbearers; the sisters of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority.