Obituary of Ruth B. Duley

Ruth B. Duley, 79 of Morgantown gained her angel wings on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 while surrounded by her family.

Ruth was born in Core, WV on August 2, 1938 to the late Wilbert Lee and Lilly Jones.  She attended Clay Battelle High School and began her working career at G.C. Murphy in Morgantown.  She also worked at Sterling Faucet but found her true calling as co-owner and bookkeeper for Alton Duley, General Contractor until his retirement in 1995.     

Back in the day, Ruth enjoyed bowling and could be found doing so on the Wednesday morning women’s league with her team, The Early Risers.  Her greatest joy in life was being surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 49 years, Alton Duley.  Her children, Michael Emerson and wife Pauline of Milford, OH, Joe Duley of Morgantown, Robin Perry and husband Jim of Abingdon, VA, Debbie Christopher of Bruceton Mills and fiancé Gary Smith of Romney and Tricia Goodwin and husband Rich of Morgantown.

Her grandchildren, Kevin Duley and wife Tonya, Melissa Nelson and husband Robert, Alisa Carter and husband Jeff, Angela Duley and fiancé Sean Burner, Erica Christopher, Michael Emerson, Courtney and Maggie Goodwin.  Her great-grandchildren, Gavin and Jada Perry, Andrew, Robert and Darwin Nelson, Alexis and Brandon Duley, Sophie and Scarlett Carter.  Ruth is also survived by her brother, Donald Jones and her sister, Shirley (Judy) Jones and a sister by heart, Lois Miller all of Morgantown.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son George Emerson, three brothers, Billy, Robert, and Jack Jones, three sisters, Madeline Papandreas, Delores and Helen Jones and daughter-in-law, Karen Duley.

Ruth was a woman full of courage.  Her self-proclaimed stubbornness and strength were sure to be the guiding force that helped her battle cancer four different times in her life. 

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Mohammed Almubarak and his staff at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Joan, Adrienne, and Hailey who offered kindhearted care during Ruth’s last cancer journey.  Most recently, Carrie, Erica and Courtney from WV Caring were her guardian angels here on earth.  Also, many thanks to longtime friend of the family, Kristie Deuesenberry-Vinson for her love and special care recently given. 

Hastings Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.  Visitation will be held at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St. on Monday, July 2 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, and again on Tuesday, July 3 from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Service at 11 am with Pastor Gary Smith officiating. Burial will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to WV Caring, PO Box 760, Arthurdale, WV 26520 or at https://wvcaring.org/donation.