Obituary of Ruth Jessup

Mrs. Ruth B. Jessup, 84, of Greensboro, formerly of Browns Summit, died on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at Beacon Place. The family will receive friends at Lambeth-Troxler Funeral Home, on Wednesday, October 28, between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. A celebration of life service will be held in the chapel at Lambeth-Troxler at 2 pm Thursday, October 29, with interment to follow at Gethsemane United Methodist Church Cemetery at the intersection of Church Street Extension and NC 150. Ruth was born in Guilford County on December 13, 1924, the daughter of the late Walter O. Bowman Sr. and Bertha Beckerdite Bowman. She was preceded in death by three brothers, W. O. (Oba) Bowman Jr., Harry D. Bowman, and C. Howard Bowman; sister, Nancy Bowman Wagoner, and infant sister Dorothy E. Bowman. She was a graduate of Monticello High School and completed the one year Commercial Course at Woman's College (now UNC-G). She retired after thirty years in the accounting department at UNC-G and the treasurer's office at Greensboro City Schools. Ruth was a life-long member of Gethsemane United Methodist Church. She was a National Member of the American Business Women's Association and a former member of the Nat Greene Chapter. She was a charter member of the disbanded Country Gardeners Garden Club. On April 26, 1942 she married the love of her life, Steve J. Jessup. They celebrated 62 years together prior to his death in June, 2004. She is survived by son COL (Ret) Larry W. Jessup and wife Frieda of Raleigh; daughter, Penny J. Pratt and husband Jerry of Greensboro; grandchildren, Dr. Tanya S. Pratt and husband Eric Butler, of Greensboro, Gerald H. Pratt III and wife Margaret, of Julian, Debra K. Debyah and husband Shawn, of Casper, WY, Martin (Marty) Kingsley and wife Lisa of Greensboro; brothers, F. M. (Mac) Bowman and wife Shirley of Browns Summit, W. B. (Bill) Bowman and wife Jeannette of Winston-Salem; sister, Doris Fisher, of Greenville, SC; nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members from both sides of the family. The family wishes to thank Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro for the love and care extended to Ruth in the weeks and months prior to her passing. Thanks also to the friends, neighbors and family that were such a joy to her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.lambethtroxlerfuneralhome.com