Ruth Willhite

Ruth Youree Willhite, age 86, passed away peacefully at her home, December 17th, 2018. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 18, 2018 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and Thursday from 9:00am to 10:00 am at the Main Street Church of Christ in Springfield. A Celebration of Life will be held at the church on Thursday at 10:00am. Burial will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Hurricane Mills, TN on Thursday at 3:00pm. Born September 4, 1932 in Rutherford County, Ruth grew up in Readyville, TN. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State College in Home Economics. She was named Miss Home Economics as a senior. She worked as an Assistant UT 4-H and Home Demonstration agent in Humphreys, Maury, and Sevier Counties. Ruth met Jim Willhite in Waverly. They married on March 9, 1957. The young couple moved to San Diego where Jim and his twin brother Joe served in the Navy. After service, the Willhites moved to Columbia and then Sevierville, where Ruth worked and Jim studied agriculture at UT. After Jim’s graduation, they moved to Springfield where Edwin and Adelia were born. Jim served as the 4-H County Agent from 1962-81 and later at Commerce Union Bank then at Bank of America. Ruth, a faithful Christian, provided constant support for her husband, while he was a deacon and elder for the Main Street Church of Christ. Their home was always open for hospitality. A tireless friend to elderly women, Ruth made regular phone calls, visits, provided food and transportation to doctor appointments. When the children started school, Ruth greeted every family moving into Springfield with a smile and a Welcome Wagon basket. She founded the Main Street Mom's Day Out Program and directed it for 30 years, where she nurtured younger generations and gave young mothers a weekly timeout. She also loved teaching the Bible to children in Sunday School. An encourager and mentor, Ruth delighted in seeing her children, grandchildren, former students, neighbors, and friends excel. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents George and Mary Youree and her brother Robert Youree. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jim Willhite; son Edwin and wife Barbara of Murfreesboro and their children David, Andrea Hollandsworth (Glenn), and Paige Willhite; daughter Adelia Gaines and her husband Andy of Coldwater, MS and children Rachel Hilliard (George), Mary Kate, and Will Gaines. Other relatives are a brother Joe Youree of Dickson, brother-in-law Joe Willhite (Shirley) of Martin, and numerous nieces and nephews. If desired, gifts may be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief, Main Street's Mother's Day Out, or Main Street’s Building Fund. Any donations may be sent in c/o Austin & Bell. Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements. AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME- 509 WALNUT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, TN (615) 384-1000

Ruth Willhite

September 4, 1932 - December 17, 2018