Ruth P. WATSON

WILLIAMSBURG - Ruth Parfitt Watson, 88, passed away unexpectedly at her home Thursday night, April 22, 2010.
Ruth was born on Jan. 1, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to George and Louella Parfitt. She graduated from Langley High School as valedictorian at the age of 16. She was also a graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.
Ruth married her high school sweetheart, George H. (Herb) Watson Jr. on Jan. 14, 1946, following his return from World War II. They had a loving marriage of 64 years.
In addition to her husband, Ruth is survived by two children, George H. III and wife, Connie and Linda W. Abraham and husband, Jerald, all of Williamsburg; two grandchildren, Christina W. Brookshire and husband, Matthew of Asheville, N.C., and John R. Abraham of Williamsburg; great-granddaughter, Anna Ruth Brookshire of Asheville; sister, Betty Snee of Pittsburgh; sisters-in-laws, Shirley Parfitt of Pittsburgh and Joyce Watson of Roanoke; several nieces and nephews; and special caregiver, Louise Norman of Newport News.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, George and Chuck Parfitt.
Ruth and Herb moved to Williamsburg in 1949 to help Herb's parents run Carolyn Court, one of the first motels in Williamsburg. In 1952, Herb and his brother, Charles, bought Peninsula Hardware (ACE), and Ruth took an active part in the business for 37 years. During those years she was also a loving mother to her two children and then a loving grandmother to her two grandchildren as well as being active in Williamsburg United Methodist Church, Williamsburg Community Hospital Auxillary, garden club and later bridge club.
But Ruth's greatest joy for the last 40 years was spending time with her family at their mountain cabin in Highland County. A little plaque hanging in the cabin that says "in the mountains we forget to count the days" summarized her feelings toward her mountain home. Most recently, though, her greatest joy was the birth of her first great-grandchild and namesake, Anna Ruth.
Despite doctors' best effort to control it, Ruth suffered increasingly severe back pain over the past five years, limiting her mobility and activities but not her spirit.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, with funeral services at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, at 11 a.m. Monday, April 26. A reception will follow at the church. A private family burial will take place later at Williamsburg Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the James City County Fire Department, 300 McLaws Circle Suite 200, Williamsburg, VA 23185. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.