Ruth Annette Hasten

Ruth Annette Hasten, age 79, of Tellico Village, TN passed away peacefully at home on January 3, 2025 from complications from metastatic breast cancer.
Ruth was born on August 17 1945 in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas to Leon Cecil Hasten and Helen Ruth Winkler, the second of three children.
Her family moved to far west Texas, Odessa where Ruth's father worked as a welder in the oil industry and her mother for the Texas Teachers School system. Ruth was part of the first grades that attended the prominent Permian High School, best known for their "Friday Nights Light" football team but was also nationally recognized for their band under the legendary leadership of J.R. McEntyre. The band's half-time performance was nationally televised during the Dallas Cowboys – Chicago Bears football game at the Cotton Bowl in November 1962. Ruth played in both the marching and concert bands and also served as a band officer.
Ruth spent most her working life supporting US Marine Corps aviation maintenance. In her later life Ruth became an avid genealogist tracing her family lines back to the English settlement of Jamestown, VA in the early 1600s. She met her long-term companion, Daniel Elins, at a Navy fighter squadron Change of Command ceremony in January 1994.
Moving to Tellico Village only 4 years ago, Ruth quickly made many friends through their New Villagers and Homeowners Association activities. In January 2023 the Village Quilters of Loudon, TN presented Ruth with a Quilt of Valor for her service. Ruth will always be remembered for her outgoing personality and love for entertaining. She enjoyed hosting many social activities (wine, dinner, and game groups) in her home.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and older brother, Virgil Leo. She is survived by Virgil's three sons and one daughter: Troy Lynn Hasten, Theresa Lynne Hasten, Joseph Brian Hasten, and Michael Leon Hasten, and by her younger brother, Joe Olan Hasten: his daughter Stacy and her husband Simon Dredge and their two daughters, Haley and Ashley, and his son, James Joseph.
A "Celebration of Ruth's Life" will be held at Little Italy restaurant at 4 PM on Thursday, April 17.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ruth's name be made to the charity of your choice.