Mary Ruth Waitman

Mary Ruth Helmick Waitman, age 90, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024. She was born May 30, 1933 in Bluegrass, Highland County, VA. She was predeceased by her parents, William & Lena Mae (Vandevander) Helmick of Pendleton County, WVA; her twin brother, Martin Bruce; and 15 siblings. She was also predeceased by her husband of 63 years, H. Nichols "Nick" Waitman of Charles City County. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Helen Waitman Wheeler and Phyllis Waitman Garrison; daughters, Susan Williams (Bo) and Nicky Sulc (Jerry); son, Tom Waitman (Julie); grandchildren, Laura Ditto (Jami), Kevin Williams (Chelsea), Nicholas “Nic” Sulc, Jordan Hagen (Samuel), Madison, and Ella Waitman; great grandchildren, Taylor and Jamison Ditto, and Raelyn, Saylah and Della Rae Williams. She was anticipating a Hagen great grandson, which is expected any day. She grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and graduated in 1951 from Mt. Clinton High School where she was Senior Class Secretary, member of FHA and Glee Club, and played basketball. Upon graduation, she moved to Richmond and worked for Bell Atlantic as a telephone operator. Mary loved to dance and met Nick at a USO Valentine’s dance in Richmond. They married 6 months later on August 29, 1953 in Harrisonburg, VA. They honeymooned on a trip through New England to Niagara Falls, NY. She answered to Mary, Ruth, or Ruthie, but the Helmick’s know her as Mary and the Waitman’s know her as Ruth. For many years she was a homemaker and raised three children along with several nieces. Nick’s first teaching job out of college was on the Eastern Shore where they lived for several years. They also lived in Richmond, Warsaw, Tappahannock, Prince George, and Charles City. She and Nick have traveled to most of the 50 United States. Mary worked for the Industrial Commission, Workers’ Compensation Division in Richmond, VA. She retired in 1997 after 28 years of service. She was an excellent seamstress, knit sweaters, was a Cub Scout and Den Mother, country cook, and had a green thumb. She was a founding member of Varina Baptist Church and active in Ladies Group activities. Mary’s most recent residence was at Petersburg Home for Ladies. The family is grateful to Dr. David Neff, the staff at Petersburg Home for Ladies, and the hospice workers from At Home Care Hospice. Mary Ruth was known for being a woman of God and enjoyed sharing her faith in Jesus Christ. She will be honored at a memorial service conducted by her pastor, Shane Brinson, at Faith Baptist Church, 5501 Middle Road, Prince George, VA 23875. The service will be Sunday June 2, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. beginning with a time of visitation with the family. She will be laid to rest privately in Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, 6217 Memorial Dr., Sandston, VA.