Gloria Ruth Johnson Bates Crowe, 90, of Ligonier, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at her home. She was born April 10, 1925, in Darlington, a daughter of the late Arthur N. and Phoebe Harr Johnson. Ruth's dream of becoming a nurse or a teacher both came true as she graduated from Ligonier High School in 1943. Through the government-sponsored program of "Cadet Nurses" during World War II, she graduated from Columbia Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1947. She worked as a full-time nurse while continuing her education. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in school nursing and later obtained a master's degree in school administration from Duquesne University. Her career included general duty nurse, head nurse at Latrobe Hospital emergency department, school nurse for the Ligonier Valley School District, geriatric nurse, and was the director of the Practical Nursing School at Westmoreland County Community College. She was a working mother who raised five children, as well as help operate the family farm. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in Darlington, where she was involved in teaching Bible study, fundraising and making quilts for the homeless. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 267 in Ligonier. She was a very loving mother and person who put the needs of her family and those around her in her thoughts and prayers, above all concern for herself. She will be sadly missed, but loved always. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard E. Bates, in 1976; her second husband, Frank Crowe, in 1993; a son, Richard Bates; four brothers, Lloyd, Chester, Donald and Arthur Johnson; two sisters, Lois Shick and Eleanor Wadsworth; a son-in-law, Jack Corcoran; and a daughter-in-law, Diana Bates. She is survived by four children, Rodger (Ann) Bates, of Camp Verde, Ariz., Cynthia L. Bates, Tamela M. Corcoran and Phillip A. Bates, all of Ligonier; 12 grandchildren, Nathan, Shawn, Alyce, Sonja, Jenna, Tyler, Patrick, Virginia, Jackson, Kenneth, Jacob and Katie; 12 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Wayne (Karen) Johnson, of Latrobe. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the J. PAUL McCRACKEN FUNERAL CHAPEL INC., 144 E. Main St., Ligonier, where Ruth's life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Dr. J. Paul McCracken officiating. Interment will follow in Ligonier Valley Cemetery. Contributions, if desired, may be made in Ruth's memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.jpaulmccrackenfuneralchapel.com.
Published in Ligonier Echo on Sept. 29, 2015