Ruby Letherwood O’Shields died October 25, 2015 in the company of her family. Born in 1930 on a farm in depression era Etowah County, Ruby was the youngest of Dewey and Audra Letherwood’s five children. She graduated from Gaston High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and a masters from Auburn University. She later moved to Blount County and married Hugh O’Shields and lovingly raised a family in the Cleveland Community. She was a life-long educator, serving as a teacher, mentor, and assistant principal at Cleveland and Oneonta High Schools. She was known as a demanding teacher, but one whose demands were always tempered with love. Her talent for inspiring those in her care was admired by many but matched by few. After she retired from formal education, she continued to teach as a volunteer for citizenship classes in the Blount County area. Her commitment to faithfully teaching her Sunday School class at Cleveland Methodist Church was unflagging until the final few months of her life. Ruby’s love of and devotion to her family were a comfort and inspiration to all her kin. All who knew her will be forever in her debt for the gifts of love, loyalty and service she so freely gave.

She was predeceased by her husband, Hugh O’Shields, Sr, and is survived by her children Audra Lynn Lumpkin (Joseph) and Hugh O’Shields, Jr. and grandchildren Ryan Tidwell, Breandan Lumpkin, Audra Britton O’Shields, Rory O’Shields, Jake O’Shields and Andrew O’Shields.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 28 from 5:00 – 7:00 at the Blount County/Cleveland Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Cleveland Methodist Church.