Ruth Elizabeth Thornberry

Ruth E. Thornberry, 93, of Beallsville, Ohio passed away in the home that she loved on Saturday, May 8, 2021. She was born September 16, 1927 near Alledonia, Ohio, a daughter of the late Harry and Mary Carpenter Riley.  Ruth was a faithful Christian; she attended the former Beallsville United Methodist Church and served as the church treasurer for many years. She retired from the Switzerland of Ohio School District where she worked as a cook. She enjoyed feeding literally hundreds of children during her 27 years working in the Beallsville Schools. She was also a member of the Beallsville Village Council serving her community for 32 years. Ruth was a dedicated mother, grandmother (lovingly referred to as “Ree” by all her grandchildren), and a loving soul to many family members and friends. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis “Tume” Thornberry; two sons, Gregory and Randy Thornberry; a granddaughter, Kyla Isaly; six siblings, Starling and Ora Riley, Beulah Neff, Dorothy Kuhn Schafer, Lela Jarrett, and Lorena Groves.  Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Bradley (Karen) Thornberry of Beallsville and Jeffrey (Theresa) Thornberry of Bethesda; a daughter-in-law, Mary Thornberry; a sister-in-law, Dessie Riley; six grandchildren, Travis (Christan) Thornberry, Erica Thornberry, Rayna (Bruce) Lucresio, Nicole (Scott) Trigg, Toni (Rodney) Gentile, and Gregory (Lisa) Thornberry; nine great-grandchildren, Kaylan, Trent, Tyler, Alexis, Mason, Emery, Leah, Paxton, and Willow; five great-great-grandchildren, Karly, Brooklynn, Brady, Claudia, and Andy; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will be held at the Harper Funeral Home, Beallsville on Monday, May 10 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 11 at 1pm, with Ken Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Beallsville Cemetery.  In keeping with COVID-19 mandates, face masks will be required at both visitation and funeral services. The Thornberry family is thankful for the kindness and care given to Ruth by her caregivers and friends, Lisa Riley and Joyce Wehr and the staff at Stonerise Hospice and Astoria Place of Barnesville. In keeping with Ruth’s giving spirit, her family requests that in lieu of flowers and keepsakes, contributions be made in her memory to Stonerise Hospice, 68150 Bayberry Drive, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.

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