Ruth Alison Graham Singley

Ruth Alison Graham Singley passed away on August 10, 2022 at the age of 93. Ruth was born in 1929 in La Ceiba, Republic of Honduras, Central America as the oldest child of Melville and Beryl Facey Graham. She is predeceased by her parents, brother William (Buddy) Graham, sister Marjorie (Sissy) Graham, and husband L. E. (Bill) Singley.

Ruth's upbringing instilled in her a great love of travel and interest in other cultures. This was ingrained early in life, as she took the banana boats back and forth between Honduras and Jamaica for boarding school. She was educated in Honduras, Jamaica and Costa Rica, and was introduced to the United States when she began her studies at Sunflower Junior College in Mississippi. She worked in Houston and Miami, and traveled to Cuba, before meeting and marrying her husband Bill in Houston in 1961. They had 3 children and went on to live in San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago, and Nashville.

A knitting project was never far from Ruth's reach, a tangible representation of her love. Her sweaters, hats, mittens and more are scattered among family, friends and strangers, and across generations. She was actively engaged at St. David's Episcopal Church in Nashville for many years, including time on the Vestry, delegate to the annual convention, and membership in the Daughters of the King along with other activities. Ruth also delighted in tending her garden and keeping abreast of her grandchildren's exploits.

Traveling continued to be a joy until her creaky joints slowed her down in her eighties. In addition to destinations throughout the US and Canada, Ruth's explorations took her to Egypt, England, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Panama Canal, Scandinavia (including a stop in St. Petersburg, Russia), Scotland, and Wales. Her sense of adventure was captured in a photo, at age 80, sitting atop a camel in Egypt in front of the pyramids!

Fiercely independent, Ruth continued living on her own in her own home in Nashville until shortly before her death. She was driving until age 91, when her children finally hid the keys.

Ruth is survived by her brother Robert (Bob) Graham; children Lisa Davis (spouse Alan, sons Ryan & Kyle), Patty East (spouse Billy, sons Doug & Jim), and Will Singley (daughter Olivia); step-daughter Victoria (spouse Jimmy, children James, Madison & Alexandra), dear brother-friend Jim McQueen and sister-in-law Helen Graham. Ruth's legacy lives strong in her cherished grandchildren, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Ruth's life will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church in Missouri City, Texas at 10:30 AM.

Memorial gifts in Ruth's honor are appreciated. The family suggests either Our Little Roses (ourlittleroses.org, PO Box 530947, Miami Shores, FL, 33153) which is devoted to improving the lives of girls in her birth country of Honduras, or St. Luke's Community House (stlch.org, 5601 New York Ave., Nashville, TN, 37209) which provides access to food, childcare, and other services in Nashville.

The photos below include: Siblings Bob, Ruth, Margie, Buddy (1985); Celebrating Ruth's 90th birthday with her children and grandchildren (2019); Naturalization/Passport photo (1958).