Ruth P. (Praria) Holmes

Ruth May Praria Holmes passed away peacefully July 23rd 2021, she was 85. Ruth was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert Lukens Holmes to whom she was married fifty years from 1960 until his passing in 2010. She is survived by 5 children: Samuel Holmes, Robert P. Holmes, Sarah Holmes (Mullins), Helen Holmes (Miller), and Jesse Holmes, as well as seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her eldest daughter Harriet Holmes.

Ruth was born on August 16th 1935 and was raised in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwestern Philadelphia where she lived until she attended West Chester University.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from West Chester University in 1958, and was a teacher in the Oxford Area School District where she taught second grade and later substituted. She was a devoted wife and loving mother with boundless energy who instilled in her children her deep Christian faith, stoic work ethic, and wry sense of humor.  She would now say that we will now have to carry on ruthlessly.

Ruth always had a smile for everyone around her. She loved a good conversation and was a lifelong learner. As a member of Union Presbyterian Church she taught Sunday school and worked as an active member of the church. She loved to sing and cherished being a member of the Union Presbyterian Church choir. She was an active 4-H club leader, and raised seeing-eye puppies as well as volunteered thousands of hours supporting 4-H clubs and events. Ruth’s love of learning drove her to work on the board of the Oxford Public library, and was the secretary of the board for more than thirty years. Her love of teaching and learning even drove her to take up a new language and she learned Gaelic later in life.  

A public viewing will be held on Monday, July 26th at the Ruffenach Funeral Home from 6 to 8 PM. Relatives and friends are also encouraged to celebrate Ruth’s life during a memorial service held at the Union Presbyterian Church on the 29th of July at 7PM.  

Click here to view a slideshow of Ruth.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Union Presbyterian Church or the Oxford Public Library.

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