Ruth Shields Ownby, age 94 joined her husband Estel in Heaven July 15, 2008. A proud decendant of the Shields family one of the first families to settle in this area. Earning a degree from Carson Newman and a MS from UT she followed in her father's footsteps as a school teacher. Mrs. Ownby loved teaching and was loved by her students. She taught 38 years beginning in a one room school at Shady Grove, retiring in 1973 after having spending most of her career at Pi Beta Phi High School in Gatlinburg. Her love of nature led to teaching biology. She could identify practically every wildflower and plant in the Smoky Mountains. R.O. as her students fondly called her was also an outstanding teacher of mathematics. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a national society of key women teachers.
Ruth was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, teaching Sunday school for many years. Hard working member of Sevier County Teachers Association, Sevier County Historical Society, Gatlinburg Garden Club and the National Campers and Hikers Association.
Preceeded in death by her father, Media Edards Shields, mother; Davie Shults Shields; husband Estel Ownby; sister Ruby Franklin; brother Claude Shields; close in-laws: Evolena Ownby and Velma and Reford Lamons.
Survivors include daughter: Sara Ball and husband Norman; Sisters: Kate Maples and Jeanette Beckwith and husband Robert, grandchildren: Misty and husband Tony Spinelli; Eric and wife Jennifer Ball; Jason and wife Heather Ball, and nine great great grandchildren.
Rawlings Funeral Home Sevierville, TN in charge and with Rev. W.W. Cope officiating.
Ruth was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, teaching Sunday school for many years. Hard working member of Sevier County Teachers Association, Sevier County Historical Society, Gatlinburg Garden Club and the National Campers and Hikers Association.
Preceeded in death by her father, Media Edards Shields, mother; Davie Shults Shields; husband Estel Ownby; sister Ruby Franklin; brother Claude Shields; close in-laws: Evolena Ownby and Velma and Reford Lamons.
Survivors include daughter: Sara Ball and husband Norman; Sisters: Kate Maples and Jeanette Beckwith and husband Robert, grandchildren: Misty and husband Tony Spinelli; Eric and wife Jennifer Ball; Jason and wife Heather Ball, and nine great great grandchildren.
Rawlings Funeral Home Sevierville, TN in charge and with Rev. W.W. Cope officiating.
Ruth Shields Ownby, age 94 joined her husband Estel in Heaven July 15, 2008. A proud decendant of the Shields family one of the first families to settle in this area. Earning a degree from Carson Newman and a MS from UT she followed in her father's footsteps as a school teacher. Mrs. Ownby loved teaching and was loved by her students. She taught 38 years beginning in a one room school at Shady Grove, retiring in 1973 after having spending most of her career at Pi Beta Phi High School in Gatlinburg. Her love of nature led to teaching biology. She could identify practically every wildflower and plant in the Smoky Mountains. R.O. as her students fondly called her was also an outstanding teacher of mathematics. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a national society of key women teachers.
Ruth was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, teaching Sunday school for many years. Hard working member of Sevier County Teachers Association, Sevier County Historical Society, Gatlinburg Garden Club and the National Campers and Hikers Association.
Preceeded in death by her father, Media Edards Shields, mother; Davie Shults Shields; husband Estel Ownby; sister Ruby Franklin; brother Claude Shields; close in-laws: Evolena Ownby and Velma and Reford Lamons.
Survivors include daughter: Sara Ball and husband Norman; Sisters: Kate Maples and Jeanette Beckwith and husband Robert, grandchildren: Misty and husband Tony Spinelli; Eric and wife Jennifer Ball; Jason and wife Heather Ball, and nine great great grandchildren.
Rawlings Funeral Home Sevierville, TN in charge and with Rev. W.W. Cope officiating.
Ruth was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, teaching Sunday school for many years. Hard working member of Sevier County Teachers Association, Sevier County Historical Society, Gatlinburg Garden Club and the National Campers and Hikers Association.
Preceeded in death by her father, Media Edards Shields, mother; Davie Shults Shields; husband Estel Ownby; sister Ruby Franklin; brother Claude Shields; close in-laws: Evolena Ownby and Velma and Reford Lamons.
Survivors include daughter: Sara Ball and husband Norman; Sisters: Kate Maples and Jeanette Beckwith and husband Robert, grandchildren: Misty and husband Tony Spinelli; Eric and wife Jennifer Ball; Jason and wife Heather Ball, and nine great great grandchildren.
Rawlings Funeral Home Sevierville, TN in charge and with Rev. W.W. Cope officiating.
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