Ruth Finney Wade

Ruth Gray Finney Wade, born October 18, 1940, passed away on February 16, 2014. Family and friends can celebrate her life on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at County Line Christian Church. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. with interment in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at her home following the services. Friends and family are invited to come to the viewing on Tuesday night from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at County Line Christian Church. Known to most as Ruth Gray, she devoted her life to family and friends. While her children were growing up, she transported them to dance lessons, horseback riding lessons, cub scouts, swimming lessons, basketball games, tennis matches and golf tournaments. She enjoyed living on the farm, being able to grow her own vegetables including Randolph’s infamous tomatoes and canning the vegetables. Ruth Gray spent many weeks and weekends at the lake, enjoying riding on the boat with her family. Ruth Gray was the type of person who was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Ruth Gray and Randolph were often found hand crafting Christmas gifts for their church family and friends. Ruth Gray was an artistic person who could be found painting ceramics, decorating beautiful cakes including many wedding cakes and arranging flowers. Ruth Gray and Randolph had many “adopted” kids. Ruth Gray had an active professional career. Ruth Gray went back to school to earn her LPN while raising four children at home. She later went on to work part-time with Children’s Medical Center as a nurse as a fill in for all the doctors. Never afraid to try anything new, Ruth Gray became a Secretary at H. C. Wade Sheet Metal. While employed with H. C. Wade, Ruth Gray learned to use Peachtree Accounting Software and Microsoft Word even though she had never used a computer before. Ruth Gray is known for her gentle spirit and could calm the most irate customer. When Ruth Gray and Randolph could escape life’s stress, they could often be found travelling with their church family and school board members. In her spare time, Ruth Gray developed Wade Properties and offered housing to many residents in Martinsville and Henry County. When Randolph passed away in 2007, Ruth Gray continued managing the business including collecting rent, arranging for the numerous repairs, overseeing the bookkeeping and many other duties and responsibilities that are required of business managers. Ruth Gray Finney Wade is survived by her four children Anne (Randie) Wade, Leigh (LeLe) Wade (Kevin O’Connell), Jon (Chip) Wade (Jeannie Wade) and Katy Gray Reynolds (Richard Reynolds). Ruth Gray was proud of her 9 grandchildren (Little Jimmy, Jason, Joshua, Jonathan, Jacob, Jessica, Jennifer, Ian, and Lauryn). Ruth Gray always attended every soccer game, basketball game, baseball game, school function, school plays, graduations and many other activities with her grandchildren. She will truly be missed by all those who knew her but the family and friends take comfort in knowing Ruth Gray is free of pain and her chronic health conditions she so courageously battled. Ruth Gray’s family would like to thank all of you who took the time during her illness to send her a card, give her a quick call, bring over some food, come and sit with her and the many other acts of kindness. It is greatly appreciated and did not go unnoticed! Memorial contributions may be made to County Line Christian Church Building Fund, 12711 Chatham Rd., Axton, VA 24054.

Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville.

To express condolences on line, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.