Ruthanna Stratton Almond

Ruthanna Stratton Almond, passed away gently and peacefully at her home in Cleveland, Tennessee on September 7, 2011. She was 94 years old. Ruthanna was born on April 12, 1917 in Old Fort, Tennessee, the daughter of Charles and Joyce Reed Stratton, who with Will and Cora Tilley owned the general store and ran the post office in Old Fort. She had one brother, Glenn Stratton, who predeceased her in 1991. At the time of Ruthanna's death, she was the oldest living grandchild of Thomas and Martha Reed, of Coker Creek and Etowah, TN, whose descendants are numerous throughout the southeastern United States. After graduating from Polk County High School, where she was valedictorian, Miss Polk County High School and winner of the Brewer Medal, she attended Tennessee Wesleyan College for one year. At age 19, she returned home to Old Fort after her father's death and taught first and second grades for two years. On June 5, 1937, Ruthanna married her beloved husband, Harold Cox Almond, whom she met on the school bus when they were high school freshmen. They had a strong and happy marriage for over 58 years that ended with Harold's death on July 3, 1995. During their marriage, Ruthanna actively supported and enhanced Harold's forty-plus year career with Hardwick Stove Company. Throughout her life, Ruthanna loved and served her church and her community. For decades, she taught a women's Sunday school class at First Baptist Church, where she also served for many years as church clerk. She was a founding member of the Tuesday Morning Bible Study in Cleveland. She was a member of the Cleveland Women's Club and a founding member of the Magnolia Garden Club, serving as President of both organizations. For many years she volunteered at a call-in crisis center, spending hours on the phone with those in need. She was an active member of the Cleveland Music Club, frequently hosting meetings in her home. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother during her son's Cub Scout tenure. She was a generous benefactor to numerous cultural, educational and faith-based organizations throughout Southeast Tennessee. Most of all, she was a loving, giving, prayerful and attentive daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and aunt to the many family members whose happiness and well-being, both spiritual and physical, was foremost on her mind. This beautiful and gracious woman will be missed by her family and friends. Ruthanna is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ann Almond Pope and her husband David; her son and daughter-in-law, Charles Lynn Almond and his wife Peggy; six grandchildren, David James Pope, Jr. (Melissa), Peter Geoffrey Pope (Sylvia), Michael Andrew Pope (Lydia), Alaine Almond Bickel (Louis), Alexander Gilmer Almond (Danielle), and Heather Stratton Almond; and nine great-grandchildren, Chelsea Ann Pope, Anthony David Pope, Evan James Pope, Liam Dalton Pope, Elizabeth Ann Pope, Madeline Rebecca Pope, Lauren Montgomery Bickel, Margaret Alaine Bickel and Louis Phillip Bickel, III. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Jean Toomey Stratton and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruthanna's family wants to thank Sherry Harris, Nena George, Ann Mullins, Lynese Falkowski, Melody Dockery, and Gloria Morris for the diligent and loving care they gave Ruthanna in the last months of her life. Funeral services will be held at the Old First Baptist Church, 340 Church St. N.E., on Saturday September 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Allan Lockerman and Pastor Jim Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday, September 9, 2011 from 5:30-8:00 at Fike Funeral Home and Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 1:00- 2:00 at the church prior to the service. The family suggests that memorials be made to the charity of the donor's choice. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Almond family guestbook at www.fikefh.com