The Walworthians: Ruth L. Miller, obit
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
2019Up-Date:
WALWORTH: Passed away at her home on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the age of 97. Ruth was born on February 26, 1922 in Webster, NY to the late Earl E. and Elsie “Semmler” Agne. She was also predeceased by her husband Ralph and brother, Arthur Agne. Survived by her children, Joyce (Howard) Clark of Palmyra, NY, Beverly Flanigan of Ontario, NY, Leona (Donald) Kirby of Newport, NC, Jean (Donald) Gardner of Ontario, NY and Steve (Nancy) Miller of Ontario, NY; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sister, Virginia Zaso of Ontario, NY; several nieces, nephews and many friends. Ruth had a strong faith and was devoted to her family. Although Ruth received some help from her family, she was able to maintain her independence and lived out her life in her own home. She had a love of flowers and enjoyed gardening through the years. She was loved and will be missed by her family and friends. All are invited to gather for a time of visitation on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 4 to 7PM at the Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 1040 State Route 31, Macedon, NY 14502 where a celebration of Ruth’s life will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 11AM. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Penfield. Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation, in Ruth’s memory, to the Walworth Fire Department, or to the Second Baptist Church of Walworth. To light a candle, leave a condolence, upload a photo, or order a floral tribute, please visit www.murphyfuneralservices.com.
Ruth L. Miller is one of the people in our neighborhood.
She grew up in West Brighton and attended Monroe High School until her parents moved to a farm in Webster.
Ruth met her husband, Ralph, when he hired on as a tenant who helped with the farm work. It must have been true love, because last March 15th they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
About 40 years ago, they moved to their 21-acre farm on Ontario Center Road. It used to be part of the larger Tabor farm.
It had cherry and pear trees on it, but Ralph wanted to raise pigs, cows and the grain to feed them. The orchard was cut down to make room for his new venture.
Farming didn’t pay all the bills so Ralph delivered feed for Anna B. Youngs’ Feed Mill until he began working at Garlock. His tenure at Garlock lasted over 30 years.
Ruth and Ralph have five children: Joyce Clark, Beverly, Leona Kirby, Jean Gardner and Steve.
“I’ve been real lucky with my kids,” Ruth said proudly. “They never got into any serious trouble while they were growing up in Walworth.”
Each year in the fall, Ruth makes evergreen wreaths to sell at the road side stand next to her driveway. She also puts out pumpkins grown in her back field and sometimes, home-made goodies.
I remember the first time I took my young sons over to let them choose their own pumpkins. We were standing in the yard looking around. We heard a loud putt-putt-chugg before we saw what made the sound.
Ralph was driving an old tractor up the lane from the east field. As he got closer, we noticed something small and white on his lap.
It was Peachy, a little white poodle that went everywhere with him. Ruth said that it was Peachy’s tractor. It didn’t go anywhere without Peachy at the wheel.
Years later, I was standing at the end of Orchard Street listening to the Festival in the Park Parade pass. I heard an old Putt-putt-chug pas and a hearty voice holler, “Hi, Kate. It’s Grandma Miller!”
Peachy had been gone a long time, but his tractor still chugs on. Ruth assured me she’ll be driving it in the parade this year, too.
Thirteen years ago Ruth and I bowled on the same team in the Thursday Morning Women’s League. The enthusiasm she put into bowling is typical of her zest for doing so many things.
She became my Cub Scout Den’s adopted grandmother. We took cookies to her on holidays and sang Christmas carols in her kitchen.
She came to our pack meetings and bid on goodies at the annual Scout Auction.
One year my husband and Grandma Miller vied back and forth on a cake until Dave had to pay almost $20 for it. He surprised her by giving her the cake.
Ruth hasn’t let last year’s mild stroke slow her down. She is warm, friendly and caring with strong feelings and out-spoken thoughts. For example, she feels that the Town Hall has too much unused space in it.
“At first, I thought they were going to put another room or floor in,” she said referring to the large vaulted ceiling of the entrance hall. “And, they said they’d fix up a room for us Senior Citizens to use. That kitchen across the hall from the big room is too dinky for our pot luck suppers!”
I promised Ruth I wouldn’t print the story she told me about a mouse running up her pant leg, so the next time you see her, ask her about it.
Thank you, Ruth Miller. You are a Walworthian with the accent on worth.