Ruth Quillin Blakemore

Kingsport, TN Ruth Quillin Blakemore, 91, passed away on November 19, 2015 at Church Hill Healthcare after a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. Throughout her life, Ruth was a loving and gentle lady who devoted her entire life to serving others. This loving and gentle spirit followed her during her struggles with this illness. Her Christian faith was always evidenced in her life. Ruth was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and moved to Appalachia, Virginia with her husband where they raised their family. Ruth was the Secretary of Appalachia Elementary School until her retirement. She lived in Appalachia until she moved to Kingsport in 2002 to be close to family and move to assisted living. As a youth, Ruth was a very active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and then as an adult Appalachia United Methodist Church. While in Kingsport she became a member of Ketron Memorial United Methodist Church. She served her Lord faithfully in many capacities over the years, but Ruth will be remembered the most for her singing. In addition to her parents (Mary and William Quillin), Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Guy C. Blakemore, sisters Mary Helen Quillin and Willie Smith, brothers Billy and Jim Quillin. Ruth is survived by her three children: Steve Blakemore (Carolyn), Mary Ruth Richards (Phil), and John Blakemore; seven grandchildren: Jason Richards (Jennie), Sarah Suits (Jarrod), Brian Richards, Isaac Blakemore, Jonathan Blakemore, Jesse Blakemore, and Ian Blakemore; two great-grandchildren: Henry Suits and Olivia Suits; sisters Virginia (Jennie) Shupe and Jean Wofford and brother John Quillin. The family would like to thank the staff from the following places that she called home over the past 14 years: Steadman Hill Assisted Living, Baysmont Nursing Home, and Church Hill Healthcare. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Appalachia United Methodist Church in Appalachia, VA, followed by a worship service and celebration of Ruth’s faith and life at 1 pm. Graveside service will follow at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens cemetery. The Reverend Joe Green and Reverend Caleb Frazier will lead the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Local Mission Ministries at Ketron Memorial United Methodist, 301 Virgil Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37664