Ruth Marie (Bethard) Parsons died on June 17, 2007, in Overland Park, Kansas, at the Manor Care skilled care facility. She was born on March 29, 1921, to Charles Handy Bethard and Rosa (Palmer) Bethard. Grew up in the town of Powellville, Maryland, graduating from Wicomico High School in 1938. Married C. Linwood Parsons, Sr. during World War II, in Denver, Colorado, at Trinity Methodist Church, on October 10, 1942. After the war they settled in Snow Hill, Maryland, where Linwood worked for the Soil Conservation District for 12 years, and then the U.S. Postal Service for 23 years. Ruth worked as the secretary to Snow Hill High School for a number of years, and then as an Administrative Assistant in Land Acquisition at Assateague National Seashore until her retirement. Ruth lived on the Eastern Shore her entire life until the last 5 years, when, because of declining health, she moved to be near a son. As a result in those 5 years she lived in Colorado, Missouri, and Kansas. She is survived by a son, Paul H. Parsons, most recently of Overland Park, Kansas; 6 grandchildren; Chet Parsons of Morgantown, WVa, married to Shelly Barrick Parsons; Carin Duncan of Wake Forest, NC, married to Greg Duncan; Jeremy Parsons of Kansas City, MO, married to Ashley Parsons; Annie Parsons of Seattle, WA; Becca Parsons of Overland Park, Kansas; and Sarah Parsons, of Overland Park, Kansas; and 4 marvelous great-grandchildren, Ely Duncan (4) of North Carolina; Micah Parsons (3) and Tyler Parsons (2) of Missouri; and Harrison Parsons (1) of West Virginia. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Linwood, who died on November 22, 1989; and her oldest son Chester, who died on September 28, 1990. Ruth was a devoted member of Bates Memorial Methodist Church, in Snow Hill, MD, for almost 60 years. She was also a member of the Nassawango Homemakers' group, loving the friendships and community. She loved dogs of all kinds, but especially those who had been abused; anything from the Eastern Shore; arts and crafts, the Nassawango Homemakers and her church womens' circle; her beloved friends, who she made easily, gathered from all over the country, and kept for a lifetime; and above all, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at Bates Memorial United Methodist Church in Snow Hill, where family and friends may call from 12:00 to 1:00. Interment will follow the services at Bates Cemetery in Snow Hill. Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth's memory to: The Appalachian Service Project, c/o Mrs. Doris Hancock, 5431 Rabbit Knaw Road, Stockton, MD 21864. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home of Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com .