Ruth Marie Parkhurst,

Ruth Marie Parkhurst (Guilford) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family January 17th, 2016 at the age of 85.
Ruth is survived by her husband Reed Arthur Parkhurst, her children; Glenn Oliver Parkhurst, Donna Marie Chubb and husband Wesley Chubb, Judy Lynn Fitzgerald, and Ruth Ann Patterson, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by four brothers, Leon Guilford, Earl Guilford, John Guilford, and Claude Guilford and a sister Roxie Guilford and a daughter Linda Jean Harrington.
Ruth was born on June 21st, 1930 in Friendship, NY to Glenn and Nellie Guilford. She graduated from Friendship, NY. She married Reed Arthur Parkhurst after a short 3 week courtship, August 9th, 1950 making her the wife of a United States Marine.  Thus began a life of relocation and periods of separation for the next twenty years. She often returned to Friendship, NY, her childhood home on White Creek road while her husband served overseas.
Ruth excelled as a mother and homemaker. She loved music and played the violin and piano. She loved to fish and hike the woods behind the farmhouse where she grew up. The ‘farm’ served as a gathering point for her family and was often filled with laughter and food. Ruth also loved puzzles and card games.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday January 23rd, 2016 at Alexander Funeral Service, Taylorsville, NC 28681, with a family reception to follow at the home of Wesley and Donna Chubb. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ruth’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Women's Refuge of Vero Beach PO Box 1484 Vero Beach, FL 32960 or www.the3day.org/goto/ruth2016 . Condolences can be sent to www.afsobituaries.wordpress.com . The family would like to thank Trinity Village and Catawba Regional Hospice.