Wesson, Eleanor Ruth

Eleanor Ruth Wesson, 97, of Elliston, Va., passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, August 27, 2017. She died of natural causes. She was born April 1, 1920, to Anne and Roy Campbell, in Phoenix, Ariz. She never liked her first name and instead went by Ruth to family and friends. She had two brothers Richard “Dick” Campbell and Roy Campbell Jr. Ruth loved movies, live music and dancing.

She was drawn to the brother of one of her friends because he was a sharp dresser. Ruth married Wiley “Stan” Wesson in 1940 and moved to Los Angeles, California. They raised five children and built their home in Downey.

An early example of an independent woman, she returned to school at the age of 40 to become a registered nurse. She graduated from Long Beach City College in 1964. She worked for more than ten years at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in LA County (now Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center). As head nurse, she oversaw more than 2,000 patients in critical care and those with spinal cord injuries.

In 1970, her husband Stan died of cancer at the age of 56. Ruth became actively involved in community theatre and served on the Downey Children’s Theatre Administrative Council and Associates. A gifted seamstress, she designed costumes for many theatrical productions. In 2001, she moved east with her daughter and son-in-law to the Washington, DC area. She enjoyed performances at the Kennedy Center and exhibits at the National Gallery of Art.

In 2006, she moved to Elliston, Va. She enjoyed needlepoint, decorating, remodeling, traveling, and animals. Ruth loved literature and was a voracious reader; many times reading one book a day. She had an incredible talent for crossword puzzles and loved to cook. Her fudge was legendary. She was a wonderful storyteller, had an amazing memory and loved to laugh.

She is survived by her children, Dawne Davis, Wiley and Lulu Wesson, Fred Wesson, Deborah Wesson, and Laura and Stuart Rawlings; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Downey Arts Coalition: http://www.downeyarts.org, Angles of Assisi (415 Campbell Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016) or Friends of the Christiansburg Library (125 Sheltman Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073). Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Hume & Crematory, Inc.