Ruth McGlothlin Welch Street, age 97, of Rowe Virginia, passed away Monday (February 1, 2016) at the home of her daughter. Born September 4, 1918 in Rowe, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Nealy and Margie Arwood McGlothlin. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of Rowe Free Pentecostal Holiness Church. She was a Godly woman who always exemplified the scripture reference in Proverbs 31 of a virtuous woman. She cared for her family as well as neighbors and friends in her community and was especially benevolent to the patrons she served at the service station and store she owned and operated along with her husband. Buying and selling property were favorite pastimes and she had made many real estate transactions. Her other interests included gardening, sewing and cooking. She never wanted anyone to leave her home hungry; her motto was “eat to keep from getting hungry”, so no one ever left her home without at least being offered a piece of cake. Entertaining her grandchildren through story and song was also something she loved to do. She would always sing “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” and insert the name of each child into the verse to make them feel special. She dedicated her life to serving the Lord and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Fred (Shorty) Welch and her second husband, John Wesley Street; one daughter and son-in-law, Alma and Alonzo Mullins; grandson, Stephen Michael Tackett; brothers, Burk, Frank, Bob, Charlie, Edd Lewis and Ken; sisters, Sally, Vernie, Stella, Bess, Belle, Myrtle and Hettie. In her generation she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Street Owens and husband, Ronald of Rowe, Virginia; one son, Darrel Welch and wife, Jo Ann of Prattville, Alabama; grandchildren, Pam (Rick) Foleno, Joel Mullins, Chris Mullins, Laura (Matt) Yates, Ben Street, Tim (Julie) Garland, Mark Garland, Cody (Hope) Owens and Eric (Wendy) Owens; great-grandchildren, Jon Mullins, Aleshia Mullins, Cy Mullins, Zada Elliot, Hannah Strang, Rachel Yates, Abby Yates, Lydia Yates, Elisabeth Yates, Elle Street, Rebecca Street, James Street, Tyln Owens, Tala Owens and Cainon Owens; one great-great-grandson, Sullivan Strang and several nieces and nephews also survive.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Legacy Hospice and Ronnie and Rita McGlothlin.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM Thursday with Rev. Joe Addison officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia.
Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends after 6 PM Wednesday at the Honaker Funeral Home where an evening services will be conducted at 7 PM with Rev. Troy Harris officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity.