Ruth Charlotte Stallmann died on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Morningside Assisted Living in Raleigh, NC. She was born on May 27, 1923 in Zwickau-Planitz in eastern Germany, the youngest of 13 children of Martin Willkomm and Emily Naumann. She spent her childhood in Berlin where her father was a Lutheran pastor and director of a theological seminary. Ruth married Friedemann Stallmann in 1953. Their sons Matthias and Cornelius were born while the family was living in Bad Nauheim. In 1961 the family moved to Washington DC, and in 1964 to Knoxville TN, where Friedemann was a professor of mathematics at the University of Tennessee (UT).
Ruth had a busy life in the home and community. She was active in her church, social and charitable organizations, and book clubs. In 1986 she earned an MA in Medical Ethics from UT.
Ruth built an inclusive community around her wherever she lived. She enjoyed discussing current events and philosophical questions, telling stories about her life, and learning about the lives of others. She loved parties and games, the sillier the better. Ruth was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her love and devotion will be missed.
Friedemann died in 2014, and in 2015 Ruth moved to the Raleigh area, where she lived in assisted living. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Knoxville before 2015, and then a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Raleigh.
Ruth is survived by sons Matthias (Martha) Stallmann and Cornelius (Inger) Stallmann, grandchildren Tim (Zach Aliotta) Stallmann, Anna (Constantine) Matthiadis, Dan Stallmann, Chris (Anna) Stallmann, and great-granddaughters Savannah and Madeleine Stallmann.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7 at 2 pm, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Avenue, Raleigh NC, 27607.
Donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church, 621 N. Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville TN 37923, or NAMI Western Carolina, namiwnc.org.
Service arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.
