Ruth
Ruth Simmons
d. February 18, 2009
Ruth Ownby Simmons, Professor Emerita, Christopher Newport University, born August 7, 1929, died February 17, 2009. She is survived by, her sister, four children, four grandchildren and three great grand children. Her sister is Louise Crews of Keysville, Virginia. Her children are John Horsley Jr., Newport News Virginia, Ray Horsley, Hendersonville Tennessee, Diana Griffin, Carrboro North Carolina and Laura Reid, Newport News Virginia. Her grandchildren are Scott Horsley of Springfield Tennessee and Jason Horsley of White House Tennessee, Emily Horsley of Providence Forge Virginia, and Alex Horsley of Charlottesville Virginia. Her great grand children, Taylor Horsley, Springfield Tennessee, Dru Horsley of White House Tennessee and Bryce Hochman of Providence Forge Virginia.
Ruth was an undergraduate of Carson Newman College in East Tennessee. She received her Masters in Education from University of Virginia. In the early 50â??s, Ruth worked as an assistant to the Late Dr. Kidd and the Late Dr. Gamble in Nelson County, Virginia.
Ruth began her teaching career at Schuyler High School in Nelson County; she moved to the new Nelson County High School in the 50â??s. In the early 60â??s she took a new teaching position in Albemarle County. She continued her work with the University of Virginia. Ruth was soon offered a teaching position at the new UVA extension at Wallops Station on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. In 1965, Ruth had an opportunity to be a part the developing Biology Department at Christopher Newport College in Newport News, Virginia.
Ruthâ??s background in nursing along with her affinity for the medical field helped her become an icon at Christopher Newport College. Sending trained, disciplined students into nursing or on to medical school was her great passion. Ruth Simmons was known as â??Ruthless Ruthâ?â?¦ among other things. She made Christopher Newport her home for the remainder of her teaching career until she retired in 1995.
Since her retirement, she has indulged her love of crafting by making quilts using unusual techniques and topics. She was published in the McCalls Quilting magazine and continued her teaching at local quilt guilds and with individual students. She used stitch techniques and fabrics to create depth and dimension making likenesses of homes and family crests of friends, tall ships, an African door frame, Native American pottery, and anatomically corrects bugs, anything that caught her imagination. She particularly loved contributing quilted wall hangings to the American Cancer Society to raffle for their benefits. She also had an enormous fondness for the Virginia Tech Veterinary School and The Oaks Veterinary Clinic in Smithfield Virginia for whom she made wall hangings.
A memorial party is being scheduled for sometime in April
Ruth was an undergraduate of Carson Newman College in East Tennessee. She received her Masters in Education from University of Virginia. In the early 50â??s, Ruth worked as an assistant to the Late Dr. Kidd and the Late Dr. Gamble in Nelson County, Virginia.
Ruth began her teaching career at Schuyler High School in Nelson County; she moved to the new Nelson County High School in the 50â??s. In the early 60â??s she took a new teaching position in Albemarle County. She continued her work with the University of Virginia. Ruth was soon offered a teaching position at the new UVA extension at Wallops Station on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. In 1965, Ruth had an opportunity to be a part the developing Biology Department at Christopher Newport College in Newport News, Virginia.
Ruthâ??s background in nursing along with her affinity for the medical field helped her become an icon at Christopher Newport College. Sending trained, disciplined students into nursing or on to medical school was her great passion. Ruth Simmons was known as â??Ruthless Ruthâ?â?¦ among other things. She made Christopher Newport her home for the remainder of her teaching career until she retired in 1995.
Since her retirement, she has indulged her love of crafting by making quilts using unusual techniques and topics. She was published in the McCalls Quilting magazine and continued her teaching at local quilt guilds and with individual students. She used stitch techniques and fabrics to create depth and dimension making likenesses of homes and family crests of friends, tall ships, an African door frame, Native American pottery, and anatomically corrects bugs, anything that caught her imagination. She particularly loved contributing quilted wall hangings to the American Cancer Society to raffle for their benefits. She also had an enormous fondness for the Virginia Tech Veterinary School and The Oaks Veterinary Clinic in Smithfield Virginia for whom she made wall hangings.
A memorial party is being scheduled for sometime in April
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