Ruthie was born in Memphis, TN on February 3, 1958, to Ruth Beasley (“Wootie”) West and Dr. Edward T. West, Jr. She grew up in Johnson City, TN on East Holston Avenue in “The Gump” along with her brothers, Ed and Tread West. She attended Stratton Elementary School, North Junior High School, and graduated from Science Hill High School in 1976. Before pursuing a career in Special Education, Ruthie had a wide variety of jobs which included working in the Candy Department at Sears, Ski Patrol at Sugar Mountain, a realtor for Blue Chip Properties, driving a van for special needs students at Dawn of Hope, and ushering for the Elvis Presley Concert at Freedom Hall in 1977.
She has been married to her husband, Scott Jordan, also of Johnson City, TN for 41 years. They were married on September 4, 1982. Together, they have two daughters, Allison and Laura. In 1991, they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where they lived for 12 years. During this time, Ruthie graduated from UNC Charlotte where she received a bachelor’s degree in special education in 2000. Following her graduation, she taught at Indian Trail Elementary School in NC for four years. They moved back to Johnson City in 2005 where she continued her career at Happy Valley Elementary School and then Valley Forge Elementary School. She was forced to retire early due to her Huntington’s Disease diagnosis in 2012.
Outside of her passion for teaching, Ruthie enjoyed being active in her community. She was a member of the Junior League of Johnson City and the Junior League of Charlotte. She was a homeroom mother at McKee Road Elementary School and a Sunday school teacher at Matthews Presbyterian Church in North Carolina. Ruthie was always known to put family before herself. When her brother, Tread, needed a kidney transplant in 1988, Ruthie volunteered to donate one of her kidneys, without hesitation, which saved his life. Ruthie also loved her friends as much as her family. Her childhood friends became her lifelong friends. She always looked forward to a friend stopping by the house to visit with her and getting to go on the yearly girl’s trip.
The simplest pleasures in life brought Ruthie the greatest joy. She loved going to Elton John and Billy Joel concerts, listening to music and dancing. She loved watching Star Wars, Soap Operas, and Fox News. She enjoyed cooking her mother’s spinach casserole during the holidays and spending Christmas at the condo in Linville. She also enjoyed sipping a glass of wine on the front porch with Scott, and trips to Flagler Beach with her family, but nothing has given her greater joy than all three of her grandchildren.
Ruthie is preceded in death by her parents Ruth Beasley (“Wootie”) West and Dr. Edward T. West Jr.; grandparents, A.C. Treadwell Beasley, Ruth Allen Beasley, Edward T. West Sr., and Margaret Barker West, and aunts, Rebecca Beasley “Bede” Burr and June B. Mann.
Ruthie is survived by her husband, Scott Jordan; brothers, Ed West and Tread West (Carol); aunt, Peggy Valentine; daughters, Allison Chapman (Corey) and Laura Pritchard (Aaron); three grandchildren, Hudson West Chapman, Ada Mae Chapman, and Audrey Ruth Pritchard (due June 25th); two nephews, James “TJ” West (Maddison) and Shae West; one niece, Emily Kunkel (Adam), and family friend and caretaker, Becky Seeley.
A Committal Service and Interment will be held Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 2:00PM in Section 15 at Monte Vista Memorial Park with James Haselsteiner officiating. Pallbearers will be Corey Chapman, Aaron Pritchard, Phil Orr, Mark Morgan, Sr., Gene Lockhart, Shae West, James “TJ” West, and John Diehl. Honorary pallbearer will be Thomas Lockhart. Following the committal service, family and friends are invited back to Monte Vista Funeral Home for a reception and time of visiting.
A very special thank you to all who cared for Ruthie in the final stages of her life, the ICU staff at the Johnson City Medical Center and the entire team at Ballad Health Hospice House in Bristol. The care and compassion you showed to Ruthie (and us) really helped us persevere through this challenging time. An even bigger thank you to the senior care workers, especially Miss Becky Seeley, who was mom’s caregiver and family friend for the past five years. Becky made it possible for Ruthie to enjoy her final years at home with her husband, Scott. We are eternally grateful for your dedicated service and the love you’ve shown to Ruthie and our family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruthie’s honor to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at HDSA.ORG or by check to HDSA 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902 New York, NY 10018
Arrangements especially for Mrs. Ruth “Ruthie” West Jordan and her family have been made through Monte Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 1900 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601; 423-282-2631.
