Ruth V.C. Stewart

Mrs. Ruth Virginia Cooley Stewart, 94, peacefully went to join her husband, James W. "Bill" Stewart, and daughter, June Stewart Taylor, in eternal rest on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2010.

Ruth was the eldest of Solomon and Fannie Wilkins Cooley's 10 children. She resided at 16031 E. Happy Hill Road (in Port Walthall area within Chesterfield County) for 70 years.

Born on Feb.y 4, 1916, amidst the first World War, Ruth learned the value of hard work and frugality. As a child, she attended Shiloh Baptist Church where she was baptized and began to serve the Lord at an early age.

She married the love of her life, "Bill," on June 26, 1937. From that union was born one child, June, in May of 1939. Early in their marriage Ruth joined Mt. Olivet Baptist Church to worship with her husband. She took tremendous pride in being a part of the Deaconess Ministry (serving as president for a period of time), Pastor's Aide Ministry and the Hospitality Ministry, serving actively for as long as her health allowed. Ruth treasured her church and church friends; she loved to share stories of her beloved, Pastor McLaughlin.

In 1980, Ruth retired from Virginia State University after 29 years of dutiful service in the Housekeeping Department. After her retirement, she continued to pursue her favorite pastimes of cooking, hosting family and friends, and talking on the phone. She was always ready to take a little road trip — even at a moment's notice.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband, daughter, parents and six siblings: Pearl Mahone, Isaac, Warren, Ellen Friend, Gladys Boone and Otelia Cheatham.

She leaves to mourn her loss beloved granddaughter, Traci Taylor Huffman and her husband, Kenneth, of Hemet, Calif.; their children William, Deion and Brittni Huffman; sister, Minnie Core, and her husband, Elree, of Ettrick, Va., and son, Herbert "Junnie" Wynn of Chester, Va.; brother, Luther H. Cooley of Petersburg, Va.; sister, Rosa Lee Powell of Richmond, Va.; devoted niece, Carolyn Friend Cobbs and her husband, Alfred L. Cobbs Jr., and their daughters, Morgan and Sidney, all of Midlothian, Va.; devoted friends whose aid and companionship were beyond measure, Barbara Sprouse and Marian Swann, both of Walthall, and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, church friends, neighbors and Colonial Heights Health Care Center caregivers and friends.

Homegoing service will be held noon Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Ave., Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin, pastor, eulogist. The interment will be held in Mt. Minnis Cemetery, Chesterfield, Va.

The family may be contacted by calling 804-314-9510.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Stewart online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Contributions may also be made to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Building Fund, 800 Augusta Ave., Petersburg, VA 23803, in memory of Mrs. Ruth C. Stewart.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., 804)-732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.