AUSTIN, TEXAS – Ruth M. Turbeville, age 95, beloved wife of William J. Turbeville, Jr., died on June 6, 2011, in Austin, Texas. She was born and raised in Bellevue, Kentucky, to Thomas and Lena Vater Mooar. She wed her husband, William J. Turbeville, in 1947 and raised two sons, Daniel Jackson Turbeville and Thomas Lawrence Turbeville.
She raised her family in Westfield. N.J., and later moved to Florida where she resided in Lakeland and then Tampa, which she loved dearly. She was very active in school activities (homeroom mother, P.T.A., etc.). She was a devoted wife to her husband and a sweet and loving mother to her sons and grandson. She was a sweet and courageous soul who really loved to have fun with family and friends.
Ruth was well known for her wonderful parties she hosted around the world. She traveled extensively with her husband, Jack, and made friends all over the world. Ruth was an avid and accomplished bridge player. She loved to play golf and was also an excellent cook.
She worked for local radio stations in Cincinnati, Ohio, writing advertisements and secretarial duties, and later worked as a top secretary at a toy factory in Scotch Plains, N.J. Ruth also worked for Senator Strom Thurmond when he was beginning his political career. She volunteered for the Children’s Country Home for disabled children in Mountainside, N.J., and also did volunteer work at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J.
Ruth lived in Tampa for over 20 years. In 1992 she was president of The Chiselers Inc., an organization devoted to restoring The University of Tampa to its historical past. As president she was responsible for the restoration of the Fletcher Lounge at the University of Tampa. She also worked to save original brick streets of Tampa as part of an historical society project.
Ruth served on the Board of Trustees of Tampa University for one term. She was a member of P.E.O., an organization which helped foreign students adapt to their new environment in this country. She and her husband, Jack, were asked to accompany the Governor of Florida and his wife to Japan as Goodwill Ambassadors.
She is survived by her sons, Thomas Turbeville and Dan Turbeville, and her grandson, Raskal Jack Turbeville, whom she adored. She had many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Jack. A graveside service was held 1 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, in Pine Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Turbeville, S.C. The family visited at the church following the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel in Columbia, S.C., is assisting the family.
She would have liked to thank her devoted caretakers and the entire staff of The Summit at Westlake whose graciousness and love made her feel welcome and comfortable in her final years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The William “Jack” Turbeville Scholarship Fund, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Development Office, 3000 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301 or the Chiselers Inc., Barbara Blank, 3918 West Palmira, Tampa, FL 33629. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com and www.dunbarfunerals.com.
