Ruth Purser

Ruth Nicholson Purser passed away on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at the age of 99 at the home of her niece, Sue Boyd Travis. She was born September 1, 1908, to William Robert and Martha Emmaline Riggs Nicholson in Morristown, TN.

Ruth came to Dayton at the age of 16 after receiving her teaching certificate from Maryville College. She taught second and seventh grades for 17 years at Dayton City School. Following her teaching career, she worked as a clerk with the Rhea County Health Department. During World War II, she was appointed Home Service Chairman for the American Red Cross and acted as a liaison officer between the armed forces and soldiers’ families. Among her many duties were delivering “killed in action” notices to the families of fallen soldiers. In 1948 Ruth and her husband Wallace opened Hi-Way Gardens, a floral and gift shop in Dayton which they owned and operated until 1987. She was a born designer and had an eye for excellence. She continued her career at Rhea Floral designing floral arrangements and directing weddings until she was 90 years old.

Being an active member of the Dayton Garden Club, which she helped to organize, she served as historian for many years. She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wallace, sisters Jessie Hefner, Gladys Purkey, Lois Boyd and Mildred Berry, brothers French Nicholson and William Nicholson. Remembering her with love are nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 28 at 2:00 pm at Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN with the Reverend John Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Buttram Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 27 after 5:00 pm.

Please share your memories at Ruth’s on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .