Ruth Pelham Taylor

Ruth Pelham Taylor passed away on April 28, 2016 at the age of 94. She was born Elizabeth Ruth Davenport to the late Willie Hall Davenport and Elizabeth "Bessie" Jane (Miller) Davenport on February 5, 1922. She lived with her grandparents, James Miller and Elizabeth (Heatherly) Miller, from the time she was about 4 years old until he was 17 when she met and married Orville Pelham. Ruth was married to Orville Pelham for 1939 until his death in 1967. She was later married to Virgil Taylor form 1972 until his death in 2006. Ruth and Orville had seven children: Jearl Wayne Pelham, James Pelham, Edward "Buddy" Pelham, Norman Pelham, Patsy (Pelham) Jennings Judi (Pelham) Hollandsworth and Roger Pelham.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she is preceded in death by three of her children, Jearl, James and Buddy Pelham; granddaughter Kimberly Pelham (daughter of James and Nadine Pelham); grandson Edward, Edwin, and Ronald Pelham (sons of Buddy and Laura Pelham); and stepson Gene Taylor. She is also preceded in death by her siblings; James Ruben Davenport, Vallie White Davenport, Annie Pearl Earls Adams, Bessie Mae Pendleton, Willie Hall Davenport Jr., and an infant twin sister.

In addition to her children Norman, Patsy, Judi and Roger, she is survived by 8 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Billie) Earls of Manchester and her beloved adopted sons David Armstrong and Mark Starbuck.

Ruth worked at the Colonial Shirt Factory for 21 years from 1950 until 1971. In addition to working, keeping house and raising and putting six children through school, her spare time was spent working in gardening flowers, needlework, crocheting, and quilting having made over 100 handmade quilts over the years for family and friends. She was a member of the Dilton Church of Christ, Murfreesboro.

Funeral services will be 3 pm Saturday, April 30, 2016 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Richard Bowman officiating. Interment will follow in the McMahan Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5 pm until 9 pm. Friday, April 29, 2016.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or www.woodburyfuneralhome.net