Ruth Scarlott

Ruth K. Scarlott NORFOLK - Prize-winning local artist Ruth K. Scarlott, 87, died peacefully Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. With her that morning, was her devoted husband of 67 years, Frederick R. Scarlott. Born in Reidsville, N.C. Oct. 27, 1922, Ruth was the daughter of Joseph L. Knowles and Virginia E. Carter Knowles. In addition to Ruth's sister, Virginia Rich and her brother, William Knowles, many other cherished family members predeceased her. Ruth was an honors graduate of Minerva High School in Ohio and an avid student of religious history and the arts throughout her life. During the 1940s she worked as a lab tech at Wright Field and in Mansfield, Ohio. Ruth was a self-taught artist who, in 1957, painted the baptismal mural for a church in Norfolk's Bayview area. In the 1960s she joined a newly forming art association known today as the TAA, or Tidewater Art Alliance. Thus began 50 years of Ruth's participation in local and regional juried art shows. For many years she enjoyed teaching carefully researched lessons for the Found Faithful class at Ocean View Presbyterian. In addition to Ruth's husband Fred, survivors include: a daughter, Carol A. Waters and her husband Steve; son, Joseph C. Scarlott and his wife Susan; grandson, John F. Waters and wife Anita; granddaughter, Stephanie L. Herron and husband Dwight, grandson Michael J. Scarlott and wife Nikki; great-grandchildren, Emily, Jacob, and Daniel Waters and their mother Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Sadie Herron, and Xander and Grey Scarlott; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ruth's family, close neighbors in Pinewell, friends at church, and her dear friends in the Hampton Roads art community knew her as a private soul and a teller of truth as she saw it. She always strove for perfection, measuring her time by art show deadlines. Ruth savored special moments spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to each new day and never stopped exercising her brain or her right to vote. Her memory will continue to inspire all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, Ruth requested that donations be made to the Lions Club, which once provided her brother Billy with a much-needed pair of glasses; to the Salvation Army, which saved her family one winter long ago with a food basket; or to the local food bank program Fishes and Loaves, c/o Jim Miller, at the church address below. A celebration of life service begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Ocean View Presbyterian Church, 9200 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23503. The Rev. Arthur Jensen will preside.