Obituary

RUTH ERNESTINE ADKINS THOMAS, 91, of Lesage, W.Va., went to be with Jesus, Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at her home. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Cox Landing United Methodist Church by the Rev. Carl Mouser and the Rev. Jerry Ryder. Burial will be in Susie Chapel Cemetery, 16th Street Road. Born in her home at Beech Fork, W.Va., March 26, 1918, to the late Ernest F. and Ida Warf Adkins, Ruth graduated from Marshall College and with a M.A. from Marshall University. She was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband, James R. "Buster" Thomas; her beloved daughter, Deloris Ann Baisden; her sister-in-law, Frieda Adkins; and brother-in-law, Tom Davis. She began her 33-year career as a one-room school teacher at schools near Beech Fork, and then took a break to marry and start a family. After graduating from Marshall College, she taught at Kellogg Elementary. Then she spent 17 years at Cox Landing Elementary, teaching fifth and sixth grade. She was a member of Cox Landing United Methodist Church. She also taught Sunday School and Bible School at Dillon Chapel and Cox's Landing United Methodist churches, and was an active member of the Women's Mission Society. Her greatest desire was for everyone to know Jesus as their Savior. She served her community and family with all her heart. Surviving are her four daughters, Mrs. Marla (Rossie) White, Mrs. Donna (John) Pinkerman, both of Lesage, Mrs. Karen (Thomas) Losee of Sarasota, Fla., Mrs. Cheryl (Jerry) Ryder; and son, James (Pam) Thomas, both of Huntington; and son-in-law, Leon Baisden of Lesage; a sister, Iona Davis; and brother, Harold Adkins, both of Lesage; 17 grandchildren, David Baisden, Scott White, Kris Pinkerman, Candy White, Johnna Pinkerman Adams and Alicia Thomas, all of Huntington, W.Va., Dowm Messinger Hawley of Summersville, S.C., Wayne Messinger of Sarasota, Fla., James Losee of Bradenton, Fla., Tanya Baisden Hill of Milton, W.Va., Cassandra White McClung, Samantha Ryder Childers, both of Ona, W.Va., Jimmy Thomas of Warner-Robins, Ga., Brent Ryder, Stephanie Thomas Hoover, Matt Ryder of Barboursville, W.Va., Hop White of Hurricane, W.Va.; 32 great-grandchildren; a nephew and five nieces. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, David Baisden, Scott White, Wayne Messinger, Brent Ryder, Jimmy Thomas, Hop White, Matt Ryder and James Losee. The body will be taken to the church an hour before the funeral. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Beard Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Huntington City Mission, 624 10th St., Huntington, WV 25701.