Ruth Electa (Ervin) Jolly went to be with her Lord on Jan. 13, 2018 at the SOMC Hospice Center. She was born in Columbus, OH on July 23, 1926 to Ansel and Susanna Samuel Ervin.
After high school she worked for the Milton Bank in Wellston, OH, her hometown. Also in those years she was actively involved with a young adult class at the Mt. Carmel EUB Church, and met her future husband, Loren Jolly. They were married on Aug. 14, 1949, in Chillicothe, OH. In 1951, they moved to Portsmouth for Loren to pursue his career as an insurance salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance.
Ruth loved her family and people in general. She loved God and made it her mission to serve Him by serving others. This was evident in her many community service committees and outreach organizations: She was an active member of the Wheelersburg United Methodist Church for 65 years, and Women’s Auxiliary for the Porter Township Volunteer Fire Department. She held many positions with the Wheelersburg Garden Club, including president for many years and was co-founder of the multi-club annual Christmas tree decorations at Shawnee Park Lodge.
When son Jeff was in high school, Ruth and Loren were leaders for an Explorer Scouts Search and Rescue group. A highlight of that time was a trip to Yellowstone National Park with four adults and 13 teenagers.
She was founder of a local Chapter of Meals on Wheels. Many years were enjoyed coordinating volunteers from local churches and she was voted as a Hometown Hero for that service.
To wrap up a lifetime of serving others, she was one of the initial SOMC Hospice volunteers.
She loved flowers at every stage, from planting through arranging. Their beauty seemed to remind her of God’s hand and fueled her soul.
Ruth loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a model of patience and encouragement in that role. She loved her husband deeply and was anxiously awaiting their reunion in Heaven.
She is survived by two sisters, Alice Brooks and Barbara House; one sister-in-law, Marge Ervin; four children: Bruce (Mary) Jolly, Becky (Bruce) Dripps, Jeff (Cynthia) Jolly, Scott (Maria) Jolly, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband (Loren Jolly), and a grandson (Craig Jolly); four brothers (Roger, Paul, Louis and Bob Ervin); one sister (Joanne Ervin Cross); six brothers-in-law, six sisters-in-law (most recently, Eleanor Jolly, a classmate); three nieces, one nephew, and one great-nephew.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Wheelersburg United Methodist Church (11605 Gallia Street, Wheelersburg). Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m. and one hour before the Saturday service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wheelersburg United Methodist Church.
(Arrangements by Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home of Wheelersburg, Ohio.)