Ruth Evans Staley

Ruth Evans Staley passed from this life on Friday, October 22, and is now with her Lord.

Ruth was born in 1925 in Missouri, but her parents, Henry & Evelyn Evans soon moved to Iowa.  She attended elementary & high school in a small town called Lineville, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa and the Drake University.  She was married to Elmer Franklin Staley Jr. in 1944.  Her husband was deceased in 2003.  She was also predeceased by her sisters, Ruby E. May and Esther E. Brideson.

She is survived by her children Dennis Staley (Gretchen) of Atlanta, Ga., Diana Staley Kang (Sugwon) of Oneonta, New York, and Donna Kinsey Erwin (Jimmy) of Mount Airy, Ga.; grandchildren, Jonathan Kang (Carol) of Washington, D.C., Clinton Kinsey (Beth) of Gainesville, Ga., Caroline Kang (Luca) of the Hague, Netherlands, Amanda Staley Ellis (Matt) of Atlanta, Ga., Annissa Erwin Snead (Michael) of Tiger, Ga., and Amy Erwin Frady (Dennis) of Mount Airy, Ga.; great grandchildren, Nikki Cheek, Steven Cheek, Trevor Hallett, Skyler Kinsey, Elisabeth Frady, Olivia Lance, Peyton Kinsey, Jimmy Osborn, Tyler Lance, Ella Kinsey, Stella Kang, Molly Murphy, Rosie Murphy, Ethan Ellis, and Madeline Ellis.  She is also survived by her sister Mary E. Neidig (Frank) of Plano, Texas and several very special nieces and nephews.  Ruth was employed when the children were older, doing clerical accounting for several companies as needed. 

Ruth always enjoyed music.  She sang with choirs in Des Moines, Iowa and joined the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville when her family joined the church, Sept. 1954.  She was honored by the Chancel Choir in 2004 for 50 years of service.  A chair in the choir loft was designated with her name.  She continued singing with Chancel Choir for over 60 years.  She was also a Charter Member of Prime Time Singers, started in 1988, and a member of the Michael O’Neal Singers for six years. 

She enjoyed serving her church in many ways as the Lord called her.  She taught Primary Sunday School, and Bible School for several years.  She served Presbyterian Women as Moderator, 1960-62, Circle Chair several times, and P.W. Honorary Life member.  She was ordained Deacon in 1996, chair Fellowship, ordained as Elder in 1999, Evangelism Committee, Elder 2005, chair of Adult Ministries.  She served on many committees.  She enjoyed the BASIC Sunday School class and was president in 1995.  She helped start the Intercessory Prayer Group in 1994 & was involved for many years.

As she met her Lord on that great day, she said, “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the Cross I cling.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church.  Rev. Shon Peppers, Rev. Lee Koontz, and Rev. Paul Evans will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Dr NE, Gainesville, GA 30501, Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Pkwy., Ste 222 Gainesville, GA 30501, or Clarkesville Baptist Church, P O Box 667 Clarkesville, GA 30523.         

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.