Ruth Surber Sharitz

MARION, Va.

Ruth Surber Sharitz, age 84, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Francis Marion Manor.

Ruth was born April 1, 1938 to the late Leon and Blanche Surber. She adored her family and loved her friends. She held several jobs in her community – Dairy Land, City Drug, Twin Oaks and Exxon. Ruth enjoyed her time working but her proudest accomplishment was raising her 5 children as a single mother since 1978. Her family takes comfort in knowing she’s making the rounds with her many friends in heaven today.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Sharitz; daughter, Rebecca Wheeling; brother, Jim Surber; sister, Nancy Coe; and son-in-law, Wade Russell; great-grandson, Jimmy Carter; great-nephew, James Coe; best friend, Henrietta Dunford.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Bo Surber and wife, Karen of Marion, Va. and Mike Sharitz and special friend, Marie Stanley of Abingdon, Va.; daughters, Sheila Russell and fiancé, Charlie Russell and Shirley Widener and husband, Tyke, all of Marion, Va.; 14 grandchildren, Katy Jackson (Dewey), Scott Russell (Janet), Jessee “Buddy” Russell (Penny), Krystal Malone, Amy Wheeling, Chad Wheeling, Jenny Widener (Philip Blevins), Mandi Widener, Austin Sharitz, Ethan Sharitz, Mark Carter, Nicholas Widener, Kyle Widener, Roni Lambert (Rusty); 15 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Carol Choate and husband, Jesse of Sugar Grove, Va.; sister-in-law, Phylis Surber of Atkins, Va.; several nieces and nephews; special nieces, Cathy, Mary and Missy; and a host of friends.

Special thanks to her “angel nurse” Cathy Mash.

The family will receive friends Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 8 p.m. with the Reverend Otis Barker and the Reverend Stuart Orr officiating. Graveside services will be held Monday, April 25, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Va.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Ruth’s Sweetheart, Austin Sharitz, to the Gracie LeAnn Dimit Memorial Foundation, 631 East Main Street, Marion, VA 24354 or the Abingdon High School Special Education Dept., 705 Thompson Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210.

To share memories of Ruth Surber Sharitz, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Ruth’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.