Jennings, Ruth Beatrice Morris

Ruth Beatrice Morris Jennings, 98, of Christiansburg, Va., passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. A celebration of life for Ruth Beatrice Morris Jennings will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at Cambria Baptist Church, 1310 Cambria St., NE, Christiansburg, with Dr. Thomas G. Harvey, her retired pastor, officiating. Ruth was active in her church for over 70 years. She mentored the youth through her leadership in GA’s and RA’s. She taught Sunday School and was active in Women’s Missions. She spent countless hours visiting the sick and shut-ins. Most recently, Ruth was a prayer warrior in the Tuesday Morning Prayer Group. The bridges she built for the rest of us to cross will always be followed and remembered. Ruth was an accomplished cook and gardener. Her culinary skills were treasured by everyone who had the opportunity to taste them. Her backyard was a gardener’s delight, with flowers blooming all season long. Every family dinner featured incredibly delicious dishes plus cut flowers from the yard, which she artfully arranged. Her husband, John Daniel Jennings, was a civil engineer for Norfolk and Western Railroad. He passed away 19 years ago. Ruth was born on the family farm in Appomattox. She is the last surviving child of nine children of Robert Walter and Hallie (Torrence) Morris. Siblings were Betty Morris Webb, Evie Othella Morris, Vara Morris Robertson, William D. Robertson (Willie Buck), Verna Morris Hamilton, Harold Morris, Rachel B. Morris Day (her twin), and Earl Morris. She and all her siblings graduated from Appomattox High School. Ruth energetically celebrated her 98th birthday with family and friends throughout her birthday week beginning, September 22nd. She passed away peacefully on October 5th following a severe stroke. She is survived by daughter, Jane (Jennings) Rivers; son, Sam Jennings (Connie Blackwood); loving granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann (Rivers) Shoop (Dale) and Angela (Rivers) Drake; and beautiful and talented great- granddaughters, Kathrine Taylor Drake, Karley Grace Drake, Audrey Diane Shoop and Caroline Faith Shoop. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 7, 2011, from 2 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg. Following the funeral service at Cambria Baptist Church, there will be a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen, Va., on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Cambria Baptist Church Missions (see address above), or to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 176, Christiansburg, VA 24068. The family would like to express our gratitude for all who cared for and visited Ruth throughout her life. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.hornefuneralservice.com.