Mrs. Ruth Knight Fletcher, 95, lifelong resident of Messongo, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Born July 8, 1929, Ruth was the only child of the late Timothy Maurice Knight and the late Mamie Holly Knight.
Ruth graduated from Atlantic High School in 1946. Her professional journey as a telephone operator began with C&P Telephone Company and continued with AT&T. She retired from Verizon after more than three decades of service.
Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she looked forward to attending Sunday service and was always eager to share the Lord’s word with others. Ruth was a devoted member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where she and her husband, Bev, attended for many years.
Following retirement, she became more focused on helping others and saw a pressing need for the youth in her community. Ruth transformed her garage into a Sunday School haven for children who otherwise couldn’t attend church, sharing Bible lessons, home-cooked meals, and lots of love and encouragement. Her dedication didn’t stop there, as she also served as the district president of the United Methodist Women, demonstrating her relentless commitment to others.
Though beloved for countless reasons, it was Ruth’s unwavering generosity and boundless compassion that made her exceptional to family, friends, and strangers alike. She went out of her way to help those in need and was always ready to lend a hand, both near and far. Ruth’s warm and welcoming nature made others feel at ease, which undoubtedly contributed to her many lifelong friendships.
As much as she adored her church, community, and friends, nothing compared to the immense love she had for her family. Her greatest joys were found in sharing one of her perfectly cooked meals with all her loved ones, hearing her grandbabies call for “Fletch,” and outings with Bev, especially ‘ocean excursions’ to Assateague, where they would often watch sunsets.
Ruth was rarely idle and was never afraid to try something new. The art of music wasn’t necessarily her forte, but it never stopped her from trying. She loved the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and it became the one song she mastered on the piano, often playing it over and over. Singing, however, was another story. Ruth knew she couldn’t carry a tune, but she sure didn’t miss a chance to serenade loved ones on their birthdays. Though her voice might not have been melodious, her life was a harmonious symphony of giving, faith, and love.
Ruth leaves behind a legacy of kindness that touched many lives. Her spirit will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, William “Beverly” Fletcher; daughters, Ellen Gaye Lipsett, of Atlantic, and Sandy Maddox and her husband, James, of Messongo; grandchildren, Frederick “Glenn” Lipsett, Dana Lipsett Bennett, Stacy Reade Maddox (Stacy Lynn), and Holly Lorraine Guy (Bill); great-grandchildren, Megan Raye Akins (Dylan), Kali Bennett, Brandon Reade Maddox, and Brooklynn Ryan Maddox; stepdaughter, Cherron Davis and her husband, Tom, of New Church, as well as their children, Tommy Davis (Meredith), Elaine McNure (Moe), and Elizabeth Powell (Ryan) and their grandchildren, Audrey, Ty, Colby, and Willie Davis, Taylor McNure Watson (Brad), Payton and Harley McNure, and Madison and Ella Powell; and several nieces, nephews and their families. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son-in-law, Charles Lipsett.
Funeral services were conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 3 p.m., with the Revs. Robert Coniglio and James R. Maddox officiating. Interment followed at the John W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery in Temperanceville. A visitation was held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Contributions in Ruth’s memory may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 186, Oak Hall, VA 23416 or to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, www.samaritanspurse.org
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
