Ruth Miller Oliver

Ruth Lee Miller Oliver, 92, of Hurricane, widow of Walter M. (Mack) Oliver, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2012 at home. Ruth was born Jan. 6, 1920, the daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. Lewis H. Miller of Ripley, WV. She was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and began her teaching career at Ripley High School. She was a Gunnery Specialist Second Class in the WAVES in the US Navy during WWII, where she met and married Mack. Ruth taught in high schools in Birmingham, AL, during the early years of her marriage and when they moved back to WV she began teaching at Hurricane High School in 1954, continuing there until her retirement in 1980. While at HHS she was head of the English Department and Putnam County Teacher of the Year in 1976. Upon her retirement she became an avid quilter and was a founding member of the Quilt Lover?s Guild of Putnam County. At the time of Mack?s retirement they made an art of their retirement years, enjoying them to the fullest. Ruth was an Episcopalian but fellowshipped with First Baptist Church of Hurricane with Hurricane family members. In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Mrs. James J. (Jo Clare) Robinson. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Doris ?Dotty? Nichols, of Jupiter, FL; 3 children and their spouses, Susan Hayslett and husband Tim of Hurricane, Michael H. Oliver and wife Bonnie of Ripley, and Penny Meek and husband Bill of Beckley; 10 grandchildren: Tim, Jr.(Amanda), Roger (Kim), James (Angie), and Eric (Christina) Hayslett and Erin Hayslett-Goheen all of Hurricane, Msgt. William Patrick Searls, USAF, (Jill) South Carolina, Wes Meek (Katherine)of California, Amy Browning of Fayetteville, Danitta Ward of Cross Lanes, and Chris Hardwick (Aleta) of Lavalette. There are 21 great-grandchildren to whom Ruth was their beloved? Grandma Ruth? including: Kristen, Timothy III , Courtney, Lexie, Mary, Emily, Natalie, and Camden Hayslett and Brooklyn, James , and Brian Goheen, all of Hurricane, Alison Hayslett , Sondi (Brad) Sutton, and Sarah Goheen of Huntington, Pfc. Adam Searls of Idaho, Travis and Zachary Meek of Beckley, Natalie Meek of California, Samantha Browning of Oak Hill, and Chance Ramsey of Fayetteville, and Seth Hardwick of Lavalette. Also left behind are several caregivers who Ruth loved and considered family, including Miranda Wade, Norma Raines, DiAnna Sowards, Michelle Johnson and many others. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, August 12, 2012 at Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane with Jim McGehee officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 3 pm Sunday prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association, 162 Court Street, Charleston, WV 25301