Melba Ruonala

Melba Grace Ruonala CHARLESTON, S.C. - On April 2, 2010, our beloved Melba Grace Ruonala left her mortal body and sailed straight to heaven. There in the presence of Glory she will reunite with her parents, two brothers, and a sister that were waiting for her. We celebrate the beauty of her life which began May 4, 1939. Grace was her name and grace was the gift she extended to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 53 years, Richard Ruonala, U.S. Navy retired; her four children, Terri Anderson (Mike) of Summerville, S.C., Ricky Ruonala of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Raymond Ruonala of Charleston, S.C., and Crystal Alexander (Ben) of Goose Creek, S.C.; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Ellen Rogers and Juanita Gallagher of Virginia Beach and Judith McClain of Baton Rouge, La. A memorial service will be held April 7, at 7 p.m. at The Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Ladson, S.C. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Ave., Suite 101, N. Charleston, SC 29405. Arrangements by Tri-County Cremation Center Inc., 11000 Dorchester Road, Summerville, S.C., (843) 821-4888.