FUNERAL HOME

Shumate Funeral Home

2321 Cumberland Avenue

Middlesboro, Kentucky

Ruth Sharpe Obituary

MIDDLESBORO — Ruth Ray Sharpe, age 96, Middlesboro, KY passed away Friday, August 29, 2014 at Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital. She was born May 26, 1918 in Claiborne County, TN, the daughter of the late Milton Houston Ray and Melvina Arnold Ray. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, James V. Sharpe; grandson, Stephen Ray Tilford; brothers: Clyde, Willard, and Jack Ray; infant sister, Martha Blanch Ray and sister, Ruby Surber. She was a member of First Baptist Church for 68 years where she was active in various roles such as Choir, WMU, and Sunday School Teacher. She and her husband, James, served as Youth Directors for many years.

She is survived by her daughters: Shirley (Danny) Tilford and Nancy (Emerson) Poe; grandson, Bradley (Kimberly) Tilford; granddaughter, Jane Ellen (Daven) Watkins; great-grandsons: Benjamin Tilford, Charles Tilford, Colin Tilford, Rhys Tilford, and Nathan Watkins; great-granddaughter, Molly Grace Watkins; sister: Cleo (Jake) Davis; several nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends; special recognition to the loving staff of Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2014, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Daven Watkins and Rev. Zachary Bay officiating. Music will be provided by Jane Ellen Watkins and Danny Tilford. Pallbearers will be Bradley Tilford, Bill Surber, Bob Surber, George Surber, John Davis, Billy Hunter, Everette Gulley, and Dr. Hilton Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Brooks, Freeman Thompson, Ike Slusher, David Mike and the Deacons of First Baptist Church, Middlesboro. Interment will follow in Green Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2014, at First Baptist Church, Middlesboro. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, Middlesboro.

Shumate Funeral Home is entrusted with all arrangements.

Guestbook and Candle Lighting is at www.shumatefuneralhome.com

Published by The Daily News from Sep. 1 to Sep. 2, 2014.
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Funeral services provided by:

Shumate Funeral Home

2321 Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, KY 40965

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