Ruth Ellen Ferry

Ruth Ellen Olsen Ferry, 77, of Decatur, GA, died on January 16, 2005 after a courageous battle with breast and lung cancer. She was surrounded by her family at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, GA. She was preceded in death by her loving husband William H. Ferry, Jr. Born in Jacksonville, FL, to Nell and Julian Olsen, Ruth Ellen grew up in Pensacola, FL. A member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Ruth Ellen graduated from Florida State University and came to

Atlanta as an assistant retail buyer for Rich's Department Store. She married her high school sweetheart, William H. Ferry, Jr., in 1951 and soon had an active family with four children. As a homemaker, she devoted her life to her family and community with involvement in March of Dimes, Blue Bird and Campfire Girls, PTA at Winnona Park Elementary School and Decatur High School, Mimosa Garden Club and First Christian Church of Decatur. Ruth Ellen rejoined the workforce as Dental Clinic Director for DeKalb County Health Department. Soon

thereafter, she became the first female Environmentalist with the DeKalb County

Health Department from which she retired after 25 years. Many will miss the presence of Mom, Nana, Sister, Aunt, Ruth Ellen, Ruth, REO or Mrs. Ferry. She is survived by children, Lynn F. and Robert H. DeHart and Shannen O. Ferry of Rome, GA, William H. (Hank), III, and Beatrice Ferry of Marietta, GA, and Ellen E. Ferry of Lawrenceville GA; grandchildren, Robert H. and Jennifer DeHart of White, GA, and Jason N. DeHart of Rome, GA; siblings, Sibyl Olsen Cole, Margaret Olsen Zepernick and Terry A. Olsen; and her nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church of Decatur at 2 pm on Saturday, January 22. The family will receive visitors at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur on Friday evening from 4-6 pm. Floral tributes are welcomed. Memorial donations may also be made to the Jane Maddox Fund of First Christian Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur 30030-2999 or the American Cancer Society. A. S. Turner & Sons