Ruth Ann McKee

Ruth Ann McKee, 66, of Hendersonville, NC passed away very suddenly at St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville, NC on Friday, January 9, 2009. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed. Ruth Ann inspired those around her to make the most of their disabilities and not dwell on their personal disabilities or problems. During her life, she had to deal with many problems, including polio at age 14 and, more recently, her battle with cancer for the last 14 years.

Ruth Ann was born to the late Grant Parmer Schell and Lucy Sherer Schell on March 22, 1942 in Terre Haute. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Howell, MI and also a member of the Western Carolina Quilt Guild, the Tar Heel Piecemakers, the Asheville Quilt Guild, and the Howell Melon Patchers of Howell, MI. She was an avid quilter, who gave many quilts to family members and friends as gifts and donated many to various charities over the years.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Fred McKee; three daughters, Susan Maj and husband, Tony, of Hendersonville, NC, Jennifer Grekin and husband, Joseph, of Farmington, MI, and Heather McKee of Berkley, MI; five grandchildren, Mia, Bianca, Sofia and Anthony Maj, all of Hendersonville, NC and Lily Grekin-McKee of Farmington, MI; one sister, Alice Velten and husband, Bill, of Lawrenceburg, TN; and three brothers, Larry Schell and wife, Yvonne, of Kingsville, TX, Jimmie Schell and wife, Rita, of Riley , IN, and Lloyd Schell and wife, Laura, of Quincy, FL.

A local Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM, Monday, January 12, 2009 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A Funeral Service will also be held at 3 PM, Friday, January 16, 2009 at the Schoppenhorst Funeral Home Chapel in Clay City, IN. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Clay City, IN. The family will receive friends from 1 ñ 3 PM, Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park Bldg. 1, Asheville, NC 28801.