Ruth Kelly Lanham passed from this world into a better world on Monday, October 15th, 2018. Ruth was born in 1927 in Walton, Roane County, WV to the late Frank P. and Effie Stewart Kelly. She graduated from Walton High School and Charleston School of Commerce Business School. She worked for the WV State Department of Education for four years. Ruth married Harold Lanham in 1948. They owned and operated Lanham's General Store in Sissonville for 35 years. They were blessed with two children, Frank and Libby.

Ruth was a 70-year member of Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church in Sissonville. She taught Sunday school for 35 years, was an active member of United Methodist Women, and held various offices in the church. She was also active in Boy Scout Troop 59 which was sponsored by the church. Ruth loved God and her church—and she claimed it as her "second home."

Ruth loved to travel and was privileged to visit all 50 states. She was especially proud of the trip she took to Ireland with her family, and she also visited Canada, Mexico, St. Martin, the Bahamas and Barbados.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Lanham, her three brothers: Henry, Walter and Edward Kelly, and her three sisters: Sada Humphreys, Anne Brown, and Orla Kelly. She is survived by her son, Frank Lanham of Wake Forest, NC and her daughter Elizabeth (Libby) and husband Rick Miller of Charlotte, NC. She had four grandchildren: Kelly Miller and her husband Owen Jones of Los Angeles, CA, Matt Miller and his wife Jena Miller of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Katie Miller of Wilmington, NC, and Tamera Lanham of Philadelphia, PA. She had three great-grandchildren: Hayden and Tyler Miller, and Izzy Edna Erney, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Humphrey's United Methodist Church in Sissonville.

Funeral service will be at 11am on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Humphrey's United Methodist Church in Sissonville with Pastor George Webb officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Floral Hills Garden of Memories.