Ruth C Strain

July 29, 1941 – July 21, 2020

Ruth Colley Strain was born on July 29, 1941, in Goodwater, Alabama; and passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Ruth was the daughter of James Oscar “J.O.” Colley and Mary Griffin Colley along with her sister, Emily Ritchey (Royal) and brother, Sanford Colley. In 1959, she met Karl Bryant Strain at Howard (now Samford University). She was an Education major at Samford and a cheerleader for 3 years. Ruth and Bryant married at First Baptist Church, Russellville, Alabama on January 19, 1963.

Ruth loved spending time with her family, she enjoyed traveling, walking on the beach collecting shells, playing the piano, cooking for her family, and sewing. Ruth’s career as an Elementary school teacher spanned over 25 years where she taught 2nd grade at Cherokee Bend Elementary School. Her class was always known as “The Strain Train”. She also faithfully served at Brookwood Baptist for 25 years as a Sunday School teacher, choir and handbell member, a youth retreat chaperone, and a volunteer of Builders for Christ.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, J.O. and Mary Colley. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Bryant Strain; her sister and brother, Emily Ritchey (Royal) and Sanford Colley; as well as her son and daughter in law, Karl and Jennifer Strain; daughter and son in law, Allison and Tommy Fuller. And her grandchildren, Anna, Caitlin and Joshua Gerard, Sara Strain, Kate, Grace and Chloe Fuller; extended family of Colleen and John Harris, Lauren and Barry Studdard, Danica and Kevin Colley, and Deonna and Keith Strain.

A celebration of life service will be held at Brookwood Baptist Church on Sunday, July 26, 2020. Visitation will be from 1pm until 2:30pm with service starting at 2:30 p.m.

There will be a live streaming starting at 2:30 at Brookwood.org for those unable to attend.