Passed away on February 20,2013 following a brief illness. The daughter of Charlotte Polk Kerr and Frank William Kerr, she was born in Arcala, Illinois. Each of her six brothers and sisters were born in different states. Times were hard but she came from a very hardworking loving family. Following her graduation from High School, Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for the Dressmaker’s Union, and was elected to the position of Secretary. She married George Edward “Eddie” Wheatley in Waverly Kentucky on July 19, 1940.
In 1949, following Eddie’s service in the Navy, they purchased a home in Panorama City, CA to raise their two sons, Charles “Chuck” Edward and William Joseph “Joe”. Eddie and Ruth’s home in Panorama City became a popular gathering place for friends and family throughout their lives. In retirement, Ruth was an active volunteer at the V.A. Hospital, and the American Legion. They lived in that same home Panorama City in LA until Eddie’s passing in May 2001, just shy of 60 years of marriage.
Following Eddie’s death, Ruth moved to Maravilla Retirement Community in Santa Barbara, CA. She volunteered at Maravilla in their Gift Shop and showing new residents around. Being one of the original residents of Maravilla, Ruth quickly made friends, and was well loved by residents and staff alike.
It was recently said that to know Ruth was to love her. How could you not?Ruth never realized how wonderful she was. She had this sharp whit and wonderful sense of humor. She was a product of that depression era world knowledge and wisdom that was demonstrated by her caring and simple honest approach to life and life’s problems. Whether it was wine and cheese with “the girls” or down on the floor playing with her great grandson Alex, she was full of life and fun.
Ruth was loving, caring, selfless, funny, strong, and fun loving. She will be greatly missed by us all.
Ruth is survived by her eldest son Chuck and his wife Susan of Coos Bay OR, grandsons Seth with his wife Ming Wei Wheatley and Trevor Wheatley with his partner Miranda and two great grand daughters Taylor and Cecilia Wheatley; and her youngest son Joe Wheatley and his wife Pat of Santa Barbara, their daughter Juliana Massie and her husband Josh and great grandson Alex.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday March 2, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church 3869 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary Santa Barbara, CA
www.mcdermottcrockett.com
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