Ruth Ellen Savage, née Turner, 82, of Crozet, Virginia passed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on September 8, 2020 at the Hospice of the Piedmont, in Charlottesville, VA. Ruth was born on May 21, 1938 in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Warren and Naomi Turner. She married Robert R. Savage on May 24, 1957, who preceded her in death.
Ruth lived in Center Township, PA for nearly 50 years and raised her family there. She cherished the lifelong friendships she made through faithful membership and service at Calvary Baptist Church in Monaca, PA in roles ranging from church treasurer to children’s ministries. Visiting missionaries and evangelists were frequent guests in her home. For the past fifteen years, Ruth lived in Crozet VA with her daughter and family. Her Sunday School class and the weekly Seniors Bible study at First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, VA were a very special part of her life.
A graduate of South Union High School, Ruth held various jobs during her life, but her true joy and lasting legacy are her children and their children, in whom she invested her time and energy. Ruth is mother of Chris (Mary Anne) Savage, Phillip (Elaine) Savage, and Kathleen (Walter) Olson. She was a wise and godly mother who placed great value on education and was proud to see all of her children graduate from Penn State and also earn three advanced degrees. She valued even more that all are believers and active in their churches.
Ruth was blessed with seven grandchildren and delighted in being their “Nanny”. Her pride was evident to all as her customized VA license plate declared that she was “NAN TO 7”. The grandchildren are Bethany (Thomas) Jackson, Elizabeth (Jason) Elvington, Stephen (Stephanie) Savage, Eric (Eleanor) Savage, Hannah Olson, Michael Savage (Samantha Poon), and David (aka Jake) (Emily) Olson. It was her joy later in life to become “G,G. Nan” to her great grandchildren Elaina and Alexander Jackson.
In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Ruth is survived by her siblings, Gerald (Nancy) Turner, Paul (Jayne) Turner, and Rebecca (Wendell) Holt and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Throughout her life she enjoyed good preaching, good mysteries, collecting Beanie Babies and giving many to grandchildren, Sunday dinner at Wood Grill, Chick-fil-A milk shakes, being with family and friends, long phone calls with those more distant, attending Sunday School, prayer meetings, and Bible study, and signing her notes with “nv44gt” as an expression of her love.
Rev. Jason Elvington will officiate a private family memorial service. Arrangements will be under the direction of Donald R. Crawford Funeral Home, Farmington, Pennsylvania.
The family encourages those who knew and loved Ruth to take a moment to laugh and celebrate her life and memory. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your church or mission organization.
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