One of earth's kindest and most beautiful souls now rests in the arms of the angels. On May 22, 2017, Ruth Shirley Fields McGann of Beech Grove in Nelson County died peacefully in her sleep in Warrenton, Virginia.
Born on April 13, 1923, at the foot of Three Ridge Mountain in Beech Grove, Ruth Shirley was the fifth of eight children born to Herman and Norma Fields, who wrested their livelihood from the land as apple sharecroppers.
Ruth Shirley and her siblings, coming of age during the height of the Great Depression, knew few worldly comforts but thrived on an abundance of love from family and friends. Despite having to curtail her schooling each fall to help bring in the apple harvest, Ruth Shirley graduated from Nelson County High School in the early 1940s. On June 6, 1944, she joined William Luther "Lightning" McGann in holy matrimony, a union blessed by the birth of daughter Olivia "Libby" Gayle in 1947.
In addition to her devotion to her family, Ruth Shirley worked as a medical assistant for Dr. Robert Raynor in Afton during the 1970s and 1980s. Her mastery of Southern cooking in particular, fried chicken, brown beans, and biscuits was renowned, and she made sure that anyone who had the pleasure of dining at her table always had a plenty. Her hospitality also extended to her role as hostess of the Beech Grove Country Club. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, and going to the beach with family every summer.
Libby's tragic death in 1983 left Ruth Shirley with deep and agonizing heartbreak, tempered only briefly by memories of joyful times and the love of her granddaughters, family, and friends. Ruth Shirley was a devout Christian who steadfastly abided by the teachings of Jesus. She enjoyed bible study, attending the Beech Grove Christian Church, and taking part in church gatherings and fellowship. Her forgiveness knew no bounds; her compassion and generosity were a testament to her innate loving kindness and enduring faith a faith as strong as the mountains of granite that bore witness to the joys and sorrows of her life.
Ruth Shirley leaves behind many loved ones, including her sister, Myra Fields Mack of Wilmington, Delaware; granddaughters, Ann Marie Parks of Vienna, Virginia and Terri Lynn Griffin (Adam) of Buffalo, New York; and great-grandchildren, Jordan Thomas Nock of Afton, Virginia, Adam Stuart Nock of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Olivia Marie Nock of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Zoey Olivia Griffin, Jack Fisher Griffin, and Ryan James Griffin of Buffalo, New York. In addition, she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and members of the Beech Grove community.
Ruth Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther McGann Jr.; beloved daughter, Olivia McGann Robinson; parents, Norma Caskie Davis Fields, and Herman Courtney Fields; and siblings, Garth Clayton Fields, Hilda Fields Dodd, Quentin Herman Dodd, Geraldine Fields Shelton, Marguerite Fields Mahoney, and Richard Courtney Fields.
A funeral will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Beech Grove Christian Church in Roseland, Virginia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ruth Shirley's memory to the Beech Grove Christian Church or the American Heart Association. Byrum-Parr Funeral Home is serving the family, 434-277-5194.
(News-Virginian)
Born on April 13, 1923, at the foot of Three Ridge Mountain in Beech Grove, Ruth Shirley was the fifth of eight children born to Herman and Norma Fields, who wrested their livelihood from the land as apple sharecroppers.
Ruth Shirley and her siblings, coming of age during the height of the Great Depression, knew few worldly comforts but thrived on an abundance of love from family and friends. Despite having to curtail her schooling each fall to help bring in the apple harvest, Ruth Shirley graduated from Nelson County High School in the early 1940s. On June 6, 1944, she joined William Luther "Lightning" McGann in holy matrimony, a union blessed by the birth of daughter Olivia "Libby" Gayle in 1947.
In addition to her devotion to her family, Ruth Shirley worked as a medical assistant for Dr. Robert Raynor in Afton during the 1970s and 1980s. Her mastery of Southern cooking in particular, fried chicken, brown beans, and biscuits was renowned, and she made sure that anyone who had the pleasure of dining at her table always had a plenty. Her hospitality also extended to her role as hostess of the Beech Grove Country Club. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, and going to the beach with family every summer.
Libby's tragic death in 1983 left Ruth Shirley with deep and agonizing heartbreak, tempered only briefly by memories of joyful times and the love of her granddaughters, family, and friends. Ruth Shirley was a devout Christian who steadfastly abided by the teachings of Jesus. She enjoyed bible study, attending the Beech Grove Christian Church, and taking part in church gatherings and fellowship. Her forgiveness knew no bounds; her compassion and generosity were a testament to her innate loving kindness and enduring faith a faith as strong as the mountains of granite that bore witness to the joys and sorrows of her life.
Ruth Shirley leaves behind many loved ones, including her sister, Myra Fields Mack of Wilmington, Delaware; granddaughters, Ann Marie Parks of Vienna, Virginia and Terri Lynn Griffin (Adam) of Buffalo, New York; and great-grandchildren, Jordan Thomas Nock of Afton, Virginia, Adam Stuart Nock of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Olivia Marie Nock of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Zoey Olivia Griffin, Jack Fisher Griffin, and Ryan James Griffin of Buffalo, New York. In addition, she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and members of the Beech Grove community.
Ruth Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther McGann Jr.; beloved daughter, Olivia McGann Robinson; parents, Norma Caskie Davis Fields, and Herman Courtney Fields; and siblings, Garth Clayton Fields, Hilda Fields Dodd, Quentin Herman Dodd, Geraldine Fields Shelton, Marguerite Fields Mahoney, and Richard Courtney Fields.
A funeral will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Beech Grove Christian Church in Roseland, Virginia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ruth Shirley's memory to the Beech Grove Christian Church or the American Heart Association. Byrum-Parr Funeral Home is serving the family, 434-277-5194.
(News-Virginian)
One of earth's kindest and most beautiful souls now rests in the arms of the angels. On May 22, 2017, Ruth Shirley Fields McGann of Beech Grove in Nelson County died peacefully in her sleep in Warrenton, Virginia.
Born on April 13, 1923, at the foot of Three Ridge Mountain in Beech Grove, Ruth Shirley was the fifth of eight children born to Herman and Norma Fields, who wrested their livelihood from the land as apple sharecroppers.
Ruth Shirley and her siblings, coming of age during the height of the Great Depression, knew few worldly comforts but thrived on an abundance of love from family and friends. Despite having to curtail her schooling each fall to help bring in the apple harvest, Ruth Shirley graduated from Nelson County High School in the early 1940s. On June 6, 1944, she joined William Luther "Lightning" McGann in holy matrimony, a union blessed by the birth of daughter Olivia "Libby" Gayle in 1947.
In addition to her devotion to her family, Ruth Shirley worked as a medical assistant for Dr. Robert Raynor in Afton during the 1970s and 1980s. Her mastery of Southern cooking in particular, fried chicken, brown beans, and biscuits was renowned, and she made sure that anyone who had the pleasure of dining at her table always had a plenty. Her hospitality also extended to her role as hostess of the Beech Grove Country Club. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, and going to the beach with family every summer.
Libby's tragic death in 1983 left Ruth Shirley with deep and agonizing heartbreak, tempered only briefly by memories of joyful times and the love of her granddaughters, family, and friends. Ruth Shirley was a devout Christian who steadfastly abided by the teachings of Jesus. She enjoyed bible study, attending the Beech Grove Christian Church, and taking part in church gatherings and fellowship. Her forgiveness knew no bounds; her compassion and generosity were a testament to her innate loving kindness and enduring faith a faith as strong as the mountains of granite that bore witness to the joys and sorrows of her life.
Ruth Shirley leaves behind many loved ones, including her sister, Myra Fields Mack of Wilmington, Delaware; granddaughters, Ann Marie Parks of Vienna, Virginia and Terri Lynn Griffin (Adam) of Buffalo, New York; and great-grandchildren, Jordan Thomas Nock of Afton, Virginia, Adam Stuart Nock of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Olivia Marie Nock of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Zoey Olivia Griffin, Jack Fisher Griffin, and Ryan James Griffin of Buffalo, New York. In addition, she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and members of the Beech Grove community.
Ruth Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther McGann Jr.; beloved daughter, Olivia McGann Robinson; parents, Norma Caskie Davis Fields, and Herman Courtney Fields; and siblings, Garth Clayton Fields, Hilda Fields Dodd, Quentin Herman Dodd, Geraldine Fields Shelton, Marguerite Fields Mahoney, and Richard Courtney Fields.
A funeral will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Beech Grove Christian Church in Roseland, Virginia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ruth Shirley's memory to the Beech Grove Christian Church or the American Heart Association. Byrum-Parr Funeral Home is serving the family, 434-277-5194.
(News-Virginian)
Born on April 13, 1923, at the foot of Three Ridge Mountain in Beech Grove, Ruth Shirley was the fifth of eight children born to Herman and Norma Fields, who wrested their livelihood from the land as apple sharecroppers.
Ruth Shirley and her siblings, coming of age during the height of the Great Depression, knew few worldly comforts but thrived on an abundance of love from family and friends. Despite having to curtail her schooling each fall to help bring in the apple harvest, Ruth Shirley graduated from Nelson County High School in the early 1940s. On June 6, 1944, she joined William Luther "Lightning" McGann in holy matrimony, a union blessed by the birth of daughter Olivia "Libby" Gayle in 1947.
In addition to her devotion to her family, Ruth Shirley worked as a medical assistant for Dr. Robert Raynor in Afton during the 1970s and 1980s. Her mastery of Southern cooking in particular, fried chicken, brown beans, and biscuits was renowned, and she made sure that anyone who had the pleasure of dining at her table always had a plenty. Her hospitality also extended to her role as hostess of the Beech Grove Country Club. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, and going to the beach with family every summer.
Libby's tragic death in 1983 left Ruth Shirley with deep and agonizing heartbreak, tempered only briefly by memories of joyful times and the love of her granddaughters, family, and friends. Ruth Shirley was a devout Christian who steadfastly abided by the teachings of Jesus. She enjoyed bible study, attending the Beech Grove Christian Church, and taking part in church gatherings and fellowship. Her forgiveness knew no bounds; her compassion and generosity were a testament to her innate loving kindness and enduring faith a faith as strong as the mountains of granite that bore witness to the joys and sorrows of her life.
Ruth Shirley leaves behind many loved ones, including her sister, Myra Fields Mack of Wilmington, Delaware; granddaughters, Ann Marie Parks of Vienna, Virginia and Terri Lynn Griffin (Adam) of Buffalo, New York; and great-grandchildren, Jordan Thomas Nock of Afton, Virginia, Adam Stuart Nock of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Olivia Marie Nock of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Zoey Olivia Griffin, Jack Fisher Griffin, and Ryan James Griffin of Buffalo, New York. In addition, she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and members of the Beech Grove community.
Ruth Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther McGann Jr.; beloved daughter, Olivia McGann Robinson; parents, Norma Caskie Davis Fields, and Herman Courtney Fields; and siblings, Garth Clayton Fields, Hilda Fields Dodd, Quentin Herman Dodd, Geraldine Fields Shelton, Marguerite Fields Mahoney, and Richard Courtney Fields.
A funeral will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Beech Grove Christian Church in Roseland, Virginia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ruth Shirley's memory to the Beech Grove Christian Church or the American Heart Association. Byrum-Parr Funeral Home is serving the family, 434-277-5194.
(News-Virginian)
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