Ruth Tarter

Ruth Gillespie Bowen Tarter TAZEWELL, Va. Ruth Gillespie Bowen Tarter, age 82, passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at her home. She was born in the Maiden Springs section of the Cove on April 6, 1927, and was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ruth Davis Bowen. Ruth was a lifelong educator. She taught school for 41 years and the greater number of those was spent in the Tazewell County School System. "Bibi's" life was about her family and friends. She spent her latter years playing bridge with her retired school teachers group, tending her flowers, loving her grandchildren, and attending the meetings of the Maiden Springs DAR. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, William Jefferson Tarter; two children: son, Jeff Tarter and wife, Marsha Anne of Tazewell, Va.; daughter, Sally Presnell and husband, Tim of Richlands, Va.; five grandchildren, Drew Presnell, Morgan Presnell, Will Tarter, Bowen Tarter and Jason Herndon. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at Stras Memorial Episcopal in Tazewell, Va., with the Reverend Russell Hatfield and the Reverend Tom G. Mustard officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at the church. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell, Va. Pallbearers will be Jeff Barnes, Brad Strong, Phil Grindstaff, Mike Witt, David Monk, Rusty Moss, Stewart Whitt, Kevin McGraw and Danny Willis. In lieu of flowers, if desired, the family requests memorial donations be made to the to the Historic Crab Orchard Museum 3663 Crab Orchard Road, Tazewell, VA 24651 or Stras Memorial Episcopal Church 101 Church St. Tazewell, VA 24651.