Ruth Tester Jones, 94, Johnson City, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Appalachian Christian Village. Born May 30, 1920 in the Sugar Hollow area of Carter County, Tenn., she was one of 14 children of Eli Finley and Sarah Camoline Presnell Tester.
Ruth grew up in Carter County and attended Elk Mills High School. She and her husband resided in Johnson City, Tenn. Ruth was a homemaker, an American Red Cross Volunteer for many years, served as a federal data collector for several years, conducted surveys for the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and earned The Sam Walton Award, Wal-Mart Corporation. Above all, she was devoted to her family. She was of the Baptist faith and attended Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, Tenn.
Her husband, Eugene Broyles Jones Sr., died in 2003. She was predeceased by 12 brothers and sisters, David McCoy Tester, Queen Aner Rominger, Harvey Earl Tester, Sarah Matilda Campbell, Finley Pierce Tester, Bennie Walter Tester, Ida Camoline Finney, Luke Lee Tester, Nelson Richard Tester, Ruby Edith Trivette, Louis Marshall Tester and Anna Mae Enter. One brother, William “Bill” Howard Tester lives in Morristown, Tenn.
Ruth is survived by four sons, Gene and wife Joy of Jacksonville, N.C., Frank and wife Anne of Virginia Beach, Va., Ken of Falls Church, Va., and Larry and wife Debra of Myrtle Beach, S.C. She has eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and friends.
Services will be held at Tetrick Funeral & Cremation Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, Tenn. Visitation and memorial services will be held on Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m. followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Monte Vista Burial Park, 1900 East Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tenn. The family asks in lieu of flowers, that memorials in the name of Ruth T. Jones be sent to Central Baptist Church, 300 N. Roan St., Johnson City, TN 37601. Online condolences may be shared through www.teterickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral and Cremation Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, Tenn., (423) 610-7171, is serving the family.