Ruth (nee: Beckett) Early, of Lantana, FL, formerly of Warrenton, passed peacefully at her home onto the next life on January 2. She had an eventful life of 97 years and touched the lives of many people. Ruth was born in Cincinnati OH, on April 12, 1927. Her family moved from Ft. Thomas, KY to Miami, FL and then back to Ohio where she graduated high school in Canton. Her father, Roy Beckett practiced dentistry and her mother Ruth (nee: Marty) Beckett cared for the home while in Canton. Ruth attended Duke University for two years before transferring to the University of Missouri, Columbia. There she was awarded a degree in Journalism. She went to work for Macy's Department Stores in Kansas City as a buyer and then was a traveling Market Research Analyst for Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati, OH.
Ruth was united in marriage to William Lee Early in 1952 and this union was blessed with two children. She began her career as a teacher at Warren County R-III School District in Warrenton. She taught Junior and Senior High Language Arts and Remedial Reading. She eventually earned her Masters Degree in Education. During her tenure in Warrenton, she was blessed with many great friends and colleagues. Ruth volunteered for the March of Dimes, Girl Scouts and the Friedens UCC Bell Choir among many other organizations. Ruth and Will then moved to Laguna Woods, CA. in 1995. There they enjoyed tennis, ballroom dancing, camera club outings, bridge and traveling to many historic sites. Then in 2017, they moved yet again to Carlisle Palm Beach in Lantana FL. There, Ruth volunteered at the community library, led a poetry club and found many new friends, who enjoyed bridge, canasta and the music and shows given there.
Ruth Early was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Early; one son, Gerald Wayne Early; and her parents, Roy and Ruth Beckett. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (nee: Early) Vockel; two nephews, Tom Oare (Susan) and James Drake; three great nieces, Ria Drake (Michael Greaves), Jamie Burton-Oare, Amy Oare; one great nephew, Mark Oare (Sarah); great great niece and nephew, Olivia Ann Oare and William Henry Oare. As "Mama Ruth", she also served as step grandmother to Kelly Vockel, Melissa Sloop (David) and Kim Vockel (Matt Yu); and as step great grandmother to Rachel Gaya, Sydney, Libby and Claire Sloop and Vivianne Yu.
There will be a Celebration of Ruth's Life on Saturday, February 22, at 10:30 A.M. at Friedens UCC in Warrenton. Following the service there will be a reception from 11 A.M. -12:30 P.M. Ruth will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Lippstadt Cemetery in Warrenton. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, are suggested to be given to the Warrenton High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, the Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach County or to Friedens UCC c/o Martin Funeral Home.
