1920
Frances
2010
Frances Irene Findley Ryan
January 22, 1920 — June 12, 2010
"Grey hair is a crown of splendor. It is attained by a righteous life." Proverbs 16:31
Frances Irene Findley Ryan, God's gift to her family and friends since her birth on January 22, 1920, entered into the home she for which she longed, on June 12, 2010, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at Valley Healthcare in Chilhowie, VA.
She was a daughter of Rufus Richard and Grace Cook Findley. Born in Clinchburg, Virginia on January 22, 2010, she was also raised there. The last 14 years she lived in Abingdon, Virginia, where she cultivated a host of new friendships and rekindled many from her childhood. Prior to moving to Abingdon, she had lived many decades in the Yellow Springs community of Meadowview, Virginia. She was preceded in death in 1986 by her husband of 46 years, James Wilford "Watermelon" Ryan. Her faith sustained her when in recent years she suffered the deaths of three of her sons, James F. "Jim" Ryan, Rufus R. Ryan, and Thomas "Pat" Ryan, and the death of her only son-in-law, Bruce Rathke.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Richard Grace Findley, Gale Findley, William "Bill" Findley and Harold Findley, and two sisters, Alma Lee Findley and Vida Findley Hill Minnick and one great-great grandchild.
She had remained a member of Yellow Springs Church sinceFebruary 7, 1943, and retired after more than 20 years of employment in the snack bar at Emory and Henry College. Her interaction with the students and her co-workers was one of her cherished memories.
Frances Findley Ryan is survived by her precious sister, Audrey (Mrs. Bill) Addison of Bristol, Tennessee, one son, John Milton Ryan, and one daughter, Sandra "Sandy" Ryan Rathke, both of Damascus, Virginia, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Her two "great-grandpups", Bailey and Bambi were a great source of delight to her.
John and Sandy want to give special thanks to Elizabeth "Libby" Rathke Holliday, whom our mother referred to as "My Wittle Wibby." Libby's unfaltering love, unselfish giving of her time and emotions, her gentle professional care and knowledge and her faithful dedication to her grandmother's wellbeing and to her comfort during her grandmother's illness was a precious blessing to us and to momma. We want to thank Vickie Trivitt for her unselfish willingness to be a part of this journey.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 8:00 PM at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with David Hill officiating. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery . Those wishing to go in a procession to the cemetery are asked to be at the funeral home by 1:30 PM.
Pallbearers will be Sam Hill, Ron Ryan, Bill Addison, Mark Rathke, John Wagoner, Hunter Ratliff, Ryan Ratliff, and her son, John Ryan.
The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until the time of the service. Friends may also call at the home of Libby and Charlie Holiday, 605 Crescent Drive, Glade Spring, VA.
In lieu of flowers Frances had requested memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
Frances Irene Findley Ryan, God's gift to her family and friends since her birth on January 22, 1920, entered into the home she for which she longed, on June 12, 2010, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at Valley Healthcare in Chilhowie, VA.
She was a daughter of Rufus Richard and Grace Cook Findley. Born in Clinchburg, Virginia on January 22, 2010, she was also raised there. The last 14 years she lived in Abingdon, Virginia, where she cultivated a host of new friendships and rekindled many from her childhood. Prior to moving to Abingdon, she had lived many decades in the Yellow Springs community of Meadowview, Virginia. She was preceded in death in 1986 by her husband of 46 years, James Wilford "Watermelon" Ryan. Her faith sustained her when in recent years she suffered the deaths of three of her sons, James F. "Jim" Ryan, Rufus R. Ryan, and Thomas "Pat" Ryan, and the death of her only son-in-law, Bruce Rathke.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Richard Grace Findley, Gale Findley, William "Bill" Findley and Harold Findley, and two sisters, Alma Lee Findley and Vida Findley Hill Minnick and one great-great grandchild.
She had remained a member of Yellow Springs Church sinceFebruary 7, 1943, and retired after more than 20 years of employment in the snack bar at Emory and Henry College. Her interaction with the students and her co-workers was one of her cherished memories.
Frances Findley Ryan is survived by her precious sister, Audrey (Mrs. Bill) Addison of Bristol, Tennessee, one son, John Milton Ryan, and one daughter, Sandra "Sandy" Ryan Rathke, both of Damascus, Virginia, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Her two "great-grandpups", Bailey and Bambi were a great source of delight to her.
John and Sandy want to give special thanks to Elizabeth "Libby" Rathke Holliday, whom our mother referred to as "My Wittle Wibby." Libby's unfaltering love, unselfish giving of her time and emotions, her gentle professional care and knowledge and her faithful dedication to her grandmother's wellbeing and to her comfort during her grandmother's illness was a precious blessing to us and to momma. We want to thank Vickie Trivitt for her unselfish willingness to be a part of this journey.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 8:00 PM at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with David Hill officiating. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery . Those wishing to go in a procession to the cemetery are asked to be at the funeral home by 1:30 PM.
Pallbearers will be Sam Hill, Ron Ryan, Bill Addison, Mark Rathke, John Wagoner, Hunter Ratliff, Ryan Ratliff, and her son, John Ryan.
The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until the time of the service. Friends may also call at the home of Libby and Charlie Holiday, 605 Crescent Drive, Glade Spring, VA.
In lieu of flowers Frances had requested memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Irene Findley Ryan, please visit our flower store.
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