Ruth Marie Stroube

Ruth Marie Barnhart Stroube, 101, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born on July 14, 1924, in Oyster Point, Virginia, Ruth was the daughter of the late C.E. Hayes and Frances Mast Barnhart.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George W. Stroube; her brothers, John Raymond, C.E. Hayes Jr., and Calvin Barnhart; her sisters, Mildred Barnhart and Frances Evelyn Long; and her son-in-law, Michael Byrnes. She is survived by her children, Robert Stroube (Kathy), Johanna Mitchem (Douglas), and Dianne Byrnes. She was a grandmother to John Mitchem (Wendy), Todd Mitchem (Amy), Ryan Byrnes (Haley), Hunter Byrnes (Mary), and Ashleigh Stroube, and a great-grandmother to Savannah, Jaxon, and Olivia Mitchem, and Sutton and Oliver Byrnes.

Ruth grew up in Denbigh, Virginia, and graduated from Morrison High School in Newport News. After marrying George, she settled in Alexandria, Virginia, where they raised their three children. Ten years after George's passing, Ruth moved to Virginia Beach to be closer to family.

Ruth often said, "Who would have thought a country girl would grow up to travel, see, and do so much." She explored much of the world, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, and nearly every U.S. state. She was especially proud of her volunteer service in the White House Greetings Office for Presidents Reagan and Bush, where she helped with Easter Egg hunts, Christmas tours, and welcoming foreign diplomats. Ruth was also a dedicated member of both the Greater Falls Church Republican Women's Club and later the Virginia Beach Republican Women's Club, where she organized a successful jewelry fundraiser for many years.

Ruth's hobbies reflected her generous spirit and curiosity. She loved to crochet and donated thousands of handmade baby caps to hospital NICUs. She delighted in collecting elephants, souvenir plates from her travels, and autographs from political and sports figures. A family historian at heart, she organized several Mast-Nafzinger reunions to keep her heritage alive.

Above all, Ruth believed her greatest accomplishment was her three children, of whom she was endlessly proud. Her legacy lives on through them and the families they continue to raise.

Ruth was a member of Haygood United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Oliver Chapel at Haygood UMC, 4713 Haygood Road, Virginia Beach, with Reverend Doug Sasser officiating. Interment will follow on Friday, October 10, at noon, at Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, Virginia, where she will rest beside George.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Society of St. Andrew (endhunger.com) or United Methodist Family Services (umfs.org).