Obituary for Ruth Virginia Hurley Howe

Ruth Virginia Hurley Howe, age 93, of Dublin died Friday, July 5, 2019 at Highland Ridge Rehab surrounded by her loving family and treasured staff members.  Ruth was born May 6, 1926 in Saltville, Virginia, and was the daughter of George Austin Hurley and Malonia Dee Hurley.  Ruth had a wonderful childhood in Saltville, and she then attended and graduated from Emory and Henry College.  After graduation, she moved to Dublin to begin her teaching career at Dublin High School.  It was in Dublin that she met the love of her life, Haven, and they were married in 1948.  Ruth continued her career as a guidance counselor at Pulaski County High School, and served over forty years as either a teacher or guidance counselor for the Pulaski County School System.  She was loved, by her fellow teachers and her students.  Her sweet spirit, positive attitude and genuine love of people touched the lives of everyone she met.  Ruth was a long time member of the Dublin United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities; Sunday School teacher, Seekers Circle member and leader, United Methodist Women leadership positions, and she was the unofficial greeter for the church.  Members of the church fondly remember Ruth as the first person who welcomed them when they visited the church, and she was the reason that many of them returned.  Her faithfulness and love of the Lord was obvious in the way she lived her life each day.  She is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws, Becky and Mark Buckland, and Beth and Buddy Ratcliffe, grandchildren and spouses, Jared and Ashley Buckland, Ben and Ginny Buckland, Emilie and Shay Dunnigan, and Katie Church.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Sue Odom, step-grandchildren, Meghan and Adam Parker and family, and Maci and Cody Hamilton, and her cherished nieces and their families.  She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Haven Daniel Howe, and her sister, Jannavee Hurley Phipps.  Funeral services will be held at Dublin United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2019 with Rev. Don Shelor officiating.  Visitation will be prior to the service from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the church.  Interment will be on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memory Gardens.  The family appreciates all the love and support that has been shown to Ruth over the past two years by friends, her precious caregivers and her adopted family at Highland Ridge Rehab.  For those desiring to remember Ruth, the family suggests memorials to the Dublin United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 577, Dublin, Virginia.  Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com.  Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home, Pulaski.