Ruth Pierce Brain

Ruth Pierce Brain, (92), wife of Major General Tom H. Brain (U.S. Army, Retired), passed away peacefully on March 10, 2023, at Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1930, to William Mainwaring Pierce and Margaret Ralston Pierce. She was graduated from Plains High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1948 and received a business associates degree from the Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania. On June 2, 1953, she was married in The Cadet Chapel at West Point, New York to Tom H. Brain on his graduation day from the United States Military Academy. The marriage was blessed by the birth of their only child, Sally Margaret. As an Army wife Ruth managed dozens of moves for the family. She served the military community including as President of both the Army Wives Club of Kitzingen, Germany, and the Army Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area. Upon her husband’s retirement, they settled in McLean, Virginia, where she had an active real estate career. She also lived temporarily in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where her husband was employed. After returning to the U.S., she assisted her husband with his consulting business. In 1995 they retired to Williamsburg, Virginia. She was a lifelong Presbyterian, serving at many churches during her life, including as a member of the Altar Guild at The Cadet Chapel at West Point. Once settled in the Washington area she and General Brain have been members of the National Presbyterian Church of Washington, D.C. She is survived by General Tom H. Brain, her husband of 69 years, who resides in Bethesda, Maryland. She is also survived by her daughter, Sally Brain Gentille, and her husband John R. Gentille of Blowing Rock, North Carolina; a grandson John D. Gentille of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and four great-grandchildren, Isabella, Tristan, Savannah, and Noah; sister-in-law Mary Lou Pierce McLain, niece Loren Pierce Alexis and nephews William R. and Richard J. Pierce and their families. She was predeceased by her parents and her cherished brother, William Ralston Pierce. The family will be receiving in the Eisenhower Suite at Joseph Gawler’s Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, D.C. from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023, to remember and celebrate Ruth. Interment to be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.