Ruth's 83rd

The Truth about Ruth

🦋



Ruth may have been the middle child

With one five years each side born

Alma at the top, Me at the bottom

Judith Ruth John between did adorn


You probably would never say that

Ruth was just the one in the middle

For, bless her, Ruth was center stage

If you knew her, you’d find no riddle


For she was always straightforward

As indeed right in that space between

She’d catch each phrase and fly ball

Better than any sport you’d have seen


Ruth had a sharp brain, a grand student

She seemed to always be at the top

Majorette, piano to trombone she played

When so many others would have to stop


Ruth did not cater to just gratify

But to do better than the rest

Competitive in the kindest way

She just always was the best


She sang with a rich full alto voice

Complementing Judith’s soprano smooth

soulfully guide my full voice too

My baritone to ripen and improve


We sang in the church choir, Methodist

Melodies of sweet resound, making Sunday fun

Despite our Mom’s holy roller childhood church

they sang for mom, she and Judy away did run


Ruth was presented the Music award in School

Honored in Band and Chorus perfectly in awe

An honored prize so perfect truly Ruthie

All sang & played with her did applaud


Wanted to go to college, something in society

Girls did not do, with marriage the holy goal

Mom proclaimed, so Ruth worked secretarial jobs

Until she found them perfect mate for her soul


Alarmingly it was a wild friend of brother John

drove a black Chevrolet convertible, red inside

Much to our mom’s holy growl with chagrin

Soon Bill won our hearts, a good man for Love’s ride


They moved to Goldsboro, as if to please Mom

In a wonderful old house along my paper route

There stopped every day to talk and play cards

Gambling games Ruth taught,to Mom I must be mute


Those evil tokens were the Devils nasty paper game

Ruth & Bill bought a new home beside the highway Blue

In cute little town called Ingleside I think it was

Much nearer to Bill’ family & mechanic work too


Ruth and I had only one fall out, so sad

when beloved Brother John died so young

to us it was a song suddenly gone away

his laughter and love, such joy, no longer sung


Ruth and Bill moved to the hamlet called Price

once a station on the railway, to raise a family

two marvels, those girls they were, beloved

raised to catch any lost dreams, so happily


I had run away, to pursue a life so free

Yet Ruth and Bill, Valarie and Shelley

grew with all wonders they could indeed see

and become the kindest, smartest best family


Ruth, dear Sister, mother, friend you may have flown

to heaven’s gate to sing and play in angelic bands

in our hearts and minds you always will stay with us

in our Merry, MaryLand, Caroline County Baby Grand!



17 May 1942 to 23 December 2021

Happy Birthday to you Always Ruth Naomi Frase White Thawley!

Love, brother Jim, sister Judy & your whole Family 💗 5 May 2025

Top Photo;  Judy, Jim & Ruth @1952 when we first moved to Goldsboro

Bottom:  Valarie Bill Shelley Ruth & my daughter Jessica @1985


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