TRIBUTE TO GRANDMA RUTH

(written by Tanya Wilder, June 18, 2009)

Her body finally gave way this morning, and as she has told all of us for many a year now, Grandma died, "right here in my chair."

She'd had a restless night, and when my aunts and cousins got her up for the morning, it was evident she was struggling to breathe.

Peacefully, she let go... right there in her chair....

Ten children, eight of whom still live...Around 30 grandchildren...Numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren...a woman of great faith....the best biscuit and gravy maker in the world...as strong as the mountains that surrounded her all her life...had the prettiest dahlia gardens in all the mountains...loved the hummingbirds who flocked to her feeders...possessed a dry humor and a cute little chuckle til the last day of her life...loved all her family through thick and thin....raised everything from a bountiful garden to baby groundhogs...when a neighbor was sick or died, folks called on Grandma for strength...spent days upon days on the ground in the mountains picking galax to sell for money to buy herself a few things...could squirt milk from the cow's udders straight into your mouth...never touched a drop of alcohol...as beautiful in passage as in life...

Other than my own mom, the most influential and loving woman in my life....

(With her second son, Rhonda Shook, in the photo above_

(Posted by Tanya Shook Wilder)

RUTH MICHAEL SHOOK

Mrs. Ruth Michael Shook, age 107, of 2160 Pigeon Roost Road, Banner Elk, died Thursday, June 18, at her home.

Mrs. Shook was born January 29, 1902 in the Matney Community, a daughter of the late Greene and Etta Baird Michael. She was a homemaker and a member of White Rock Baptist Church.

Mrs. Shook is survived by five daughters; Ada Mildred Smith and husband Hade of Banner Elk, Pauline North of College Park, Georgia, and Audrey Rominger of Boone, Belinda Orr and huband Ken of Charlotte, and Joyce Wilson and husband Ken of Silver Spring, Maryland; three sons; Rhonda Shook and wife Gertrude of Millersville, Maryland, Bradley Shook and wife Mabel of Banner Elk, and Errol Shook and wife Patsy of Boone; one daughter-in-law, Mary Shook of Boone. She was also survived by 23 granchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 29 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hoyle H. Shook; two sons, Larry and Zeb Shook; two sons-in-law, Gentry North and Bill Rominger; one sister, Ada Shook, and one brother, Grady Michael.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Michael Shook will be conducted Saturday afternoon, June 20, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at White Rock Baptist Church on Pigeon Roost Road, Banner Elk. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Reverend Earl Carver, Jr. and Reverend Donald Smith. Burial will follow in White Rock Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will recieve friends Friday evening, from 6:30 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the White Rock Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Mildred Smith, 179 Hade Smith Drive, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

Online condolences may be sent to the Shook family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.