Ruth Van Beber

Lonnie "Ruth" Sledge Van Beber, of Cookeville, TN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, after a brief illness. She was born on August 1, 1933, in Springville, MS to the late Reverend W.C. and Mrs. Lottie McCharen Sledge. Ruth attended Blue Mountain College where she studied voice and music. At an early age, Ruth developed a love for music and a passion for singing. She had a beautiful soprano voice that inspired many who were blessed to hear her sing in her Father’s churches. Ruth was also an accomplished pianist and served as a pianist for multiple churches over the years. It was at Blue Mountain College that Ruth was introduced to the love of her life, Ben Morris Van Beber, Jr. on a blind date arranged by her older sister. They were married on October 3, 1953, in Shaw, MS and their love and devotion would continue for over 67 years. When they married, Ben was in the Air Force so they made their first home near the military base in Biloxi, MS. Once Ben left the military, they planned to settle near their families in the South, however, God had a different plan for them. Ben accepted a job with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, CA, where they would remain for 10 years and where God blessed them with 3 children. In 1965, Ben was offered a position with IBM working on the NASA space program in Huntsville, Alabama, and they would spend the next 20 years there before he ended his career with an 8 year assignment in Houston, TX. For their retirement years, they desired a quiet life in the South close to the Smokey Mountains so they picked Cookeville for their final home. Ruth’s first career was as a homemaker and along with Ben, they raised their 3 children. When her children grew older and were able to care for themselves, Ruth’s gift of creativity led her to entrepreneurship. Her first business venture was a florist shop in Ardmore, Alabama which she owned and successfully ran for several years. When Ben’s job at IBM transferred them to Houston, it was only a few years before the entrepreneur bug bit Ruth again and she bought a Hallmark Store in Alvin, TX. Using her talents in sales and design, she was able to earn the coveted distinction of a Hallmark Gold Crown store. Ruth made a real difference in the community by cheerfully donating to various charities and fundraisers but most of all, she did not want for anyone to miss out on shopping for holidays and special occasions. There were many Christmas eves that Ruth would send her employees home and then she would keep the store open for hours past closing time. She would not lock her doors until there were no more customers in sight. Ruth was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was so proud of her family. Ruth loved life and lived it joyfully with a strong faith and love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She sought to live each day showing God’s love and compassion to everyone around her. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church – Cookeville for many years. Ruth had a kind and caring spirit and loved her family, church, and friends. She also enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening and had a talent for baking. In the summer of 2001, Ruth and Ben fulfilled a very important item on their bucket list—they visited Alaska. They drove their motorhome from Cookeville to Alaska and back, camping along the way. The trip was life-changing for both of them and they had the time of their lives. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Melna Sledge Dellinger and brother, William Collier Sledge, Jr. Ruth is survived by her loving husband and soulmate for 67 years, Ben, daughter, Melna Ruth Van Beber of Old Hickory, TN; sons, Robert (Lisa) “Bob” Lawrence Van Beber of Atlanta, GA and William “Bill” Morris Van Beber of Waynesboro, VA; grandchildren, William Van Beber, Brittany (Dalton) Hensley, Carl (Marissa) Van Beber. Reese (AllyBeth) Van Beber, and Owen Van Beber; great grandchildren, Bowen Van Beber, Anderson (“Andee”) Van Beber and Collier (“CJ”) Van Beber; and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service was held at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper–Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 1:00 pm with Reverend Bill Stone officiating. The family received friends from 12:00 pm to service time at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Van Beber Endowed Scholarship at California Baptist University, ATTN: University Advancement, 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504. A private family burial in Mississippi will take place at a later date. Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.