Ruth Grogan

BALTIMORE, MD - Ruth McKinney Grogan, 88, passed away on Friday, August 16, 2013, at Franklin Square Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Born April 7, 1925 in Basin, WV, to Samuel Mitchell McKinney and Allie Cornett McKinney, she was the last surviving member of their family. Ruth attended school in Herndon, WV and worked for a short time in an ammunition plant in Elkton, MD before returning to Basin, WV. Shortly thereafter she met Sam Grogan, the tall, dark and handsome love of her life. They were married in Pearisburg, VA on April 21, 1948 and resided briefly in Widemouth, WV where Sam worked as a coal miner before moving the family to Baltimore, MD. Ruth dedicated her life to her family, later worked as an aide in the Baltimore City School system, earned her GED, and attended Baltimore Community College. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, sewing, quilting, yard sales, flea markets, traveling, bowling and any and all activities that allowed her to enjoy the great outdoors. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William Samuel Grogan, son Dennis William McKinney, brothers Virgil, Raymond, Burnett, Carl, Glen, Conley, Hollie and Robert McKinney, sisters Francis O'Neal, Nola Shrader, Mary Jane McKinney, son-in-law Michael W. Pauley and daughter-in-law Evelyn Mills McKinney. Survivors include sons William Samuel Grogan, Jr (Patty) Stromsburg, NE, Jackie Ray Grogan and Leonard Mitchell Grogan (Linda) Baltimore, MD, daughters Julia Ann Pauley, Princeton, WV, Susan Elaine Zabora (Milton), Patricia Maxine Brehm (Joseph), Mary Faye Grogan (her primary care giver) all of Baltimore, MD and Vivian Ruth Beam (Ralph) of Aberdeen, MD; grandchildren Matthew David Pauley (Sarah) Montgomery, OH and Benjamin Alexander Pauley (Vicki) Princeton, WV, Milton Alexander Zabora Jr (Millie) and Eric William Zabora, Baltimore, MD, Samantha Walker (Chris) and Tiffany Rosenquist (Adam) Stromsburg, NE, Candy Nun, York, NE, Travis Hanson (Gilda) San Diego, CA, Matthew Beam (Melanie) Naples, FL, Ronnie Beam, St. Petersburg, FL., Scott Gibson (Jenny) Central City, NE., Brian Gibson, Aurora, NE., Amanda Zock (Matthew), Leonard Grogan Jr., and Michael Grogan, Baltimore, MD; great-grandchildren Jessica Elaine, Jennifer Ann, Austin Taylor, Trent and Eric William Zabora Jr, Jeremy Paul Colger and Jacob Garcia, Baltimore, MD, Jocelyn and Jaelyn, Osceola, NE, Barrett Gibson, Aurora, NE, Dakota, Chase and Sierra Gibson, Central City, NE, Felicia Grogan, Matthew and Nicholas Santelli, Baltimore, MD, Cherokee and Gage Walker, Ashley Etherton, China Epp, Dylan and Carlie Sperling, Stromsurg, NE, Carolyn Lewis (Thomas) York, NE, Angelica, Anneliese, and Andrew Hanson, San Diego, CA, Raygin Elizabeth Jenkins, Issac David and Ryan Maximus Pauley, Montgomery, OH, Trey Alexander, Jacob Tanner, Gracelynn Elizabeth, and Emily Danielle Pauley, Princeton, WV; great-great-grandchildren David Dwight Epp, Tristen Lee Etherton, Alayna Jayne, Lizzy and Keagan Thomas Lewis, York, NE, Avaya Elayna Zabora and Jeremy Paul Colger, Jr. Baltimore, MD, in-laws Paul Grogan and Lula Mae Sanders, Lashmeet, WV, Viola Pennington, Princeton, WV, Annie Lester, Matoaka, WV, Leona Thompson, Bel Air, MD, favorite nephew Sam McKinney, Orlando Park, IL, and many nephews and nieces. A celebration of Ruth's life was held by family and friends at the Connelly Funeral Home, Essex, MD during visitation hours on August 19 and her funeral on August 20, The final good byes to a woman known as one of the most patient, loving, accepting, sweet-spirited women to ever grace the face of this earth took place at Holly Hills Cemetery, Baltimore, MD. In lieu of flowers Ruth requested that memorial contributions be made in her name to either Boys Town or Smile Train. Information submitted by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com

Tributes

Ruth Grogan

August 16, 2013