Ruth (Davis) Ledbetter

On December 10, 2013, Nellie Ruth Ledbetter (nee Davis), beloved wife of the late William James Ledbetter; devoted mother of Mildred Gage McDaniel and her late husbands William Royce McDaniel and Keith Sterling Gage; loving daughter of the late Mattie Davis (nee Hoke) and the late Tom Davis; dear sister of J. D. Davis and the late Kathleen Bowlin, Paul Davis and Clyde Davis; grandmother of Wendy Carver and her husband Cecil, Tammy Butler and her husband Jay, Tina Marie Zacot, Joseph McDaniel and his wife Lisa; great grandmother of Joseph, Erin, Jocelyn, Lindsey, Helene, Lauren, Andrew and Joshua.  Also survived by several great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.

Nellie Ruth Ledbetter was born in Spindale, NC on May 4, 1918. She graduated from Central High School in Rutherfordton, NC. After high school, she went to work at Chimney Rock near Lake Lure. She found the love of her life at a Pentecostal church service, and eloped with W.J. Ledbetter on September 5, 1937. They began their married life in a log cabin taking care of a farm owned by W.J.'s grandparents. Nine months later, their one and only child, Mildred, was born.  Later they worked in a restaurant called "The Red Pig" in Marion, NC.  In 1942, they answered the call to come and work at the Glenn L. Martin Company.  There Ruth became one of the first women in the country to be hired to put rivets in B26 and P5M planes.  She was the only woman in her department with fifteen men and earned 60 cents an hour. She, and these women, later became known as "Rosie the Riveters," as seen on "We Can Do It!" posters.  Ruth worked there 27 years, long enough to work on parts for the US Space Station.  She retired in June, 1969. During one of the times she was laid off from Martins, she returned to school and received her LPN. She worked as a nurse at the old Ivy Hall until she got called back to Martins. After retiring, she kept busy by serving on such committees as the Loan Closet for the Victory Villa Community Center, and the flower committee and the food ministry at Middle River Baptist Church (MRBC).  During that time, she discovered that she had a talent for oil painting, ceramics, and stained glass.  She made and donated  all of the ornaments on the Chrismon tree that is still on display every Christmas season at MRBC.  Ruth and W.J. enjoyed 57 years of marriage. As a virtuous Christian woman, she lived a full life enriched by family, friends, and her church. Our loss is heaven's gain of a beautiful angel.

Friends may call at family owned Bruzdzinski Funeral Home P. A. at 1407 Old Eastern Avenue, Essex  at route 702 (beltway exit 36) on Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm. Further visitation will be held at Middle River Baptist Church  610 Middle River Road  Middle River, Maryland 21220 on Saturday from 10 to 11 am.  Funeral Services will begin at 11 AM. Interment Belair Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers memorials in her name to Middle River Baptist Church will be appreciated.






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