Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Ruth Crabtree Roles, age 97, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Prospect Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 12pm until 2pm on Saturday at Higgins.
Mrs. Roles was born December 7, 1925, in Lincoln County, TN to the late William Bruce and Edith Elizabeth Touchstone Crabtree. Ruth was a nurse at Lincoln Regional Hospital for many years and after she retired, she went on to work as a nurse for Amana and then the Lincoln County Jail. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Fayetteville as well as the VFW and American Legion. Ruth enjoyed crocheting, reading, and working in her yard, and to say that she loved to dance is an understatement. She also cherished her family and spending time with them. Known as Granny Ruth to her grandchildren, she followed along to many of their ballgames and activities over the years. She was such a lively supporter that she was called Granny Ruth by more than just her family. Ruth passed away January 25, 2023, at Donalson Care Center in Fayetteville.
Survivors include her children, Norma (Tommy) Wright, Ernest “Ernie” (Brenda) Roles, and Tammy (Curtis) Painter; grandchildren, Grad (Patty) Wright, Will Wright, Ernie (Stacy) Roles, Jennie Roles-Walter, Michelle (John) Garrich, Raquel Robertson, Curt (Tara) Painter, Jacob (Nicki) Painter; fifteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Roles was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood “Boots” Roles; and siblings, Margie Galloway, Lois Dixon, Paulene Ables, Bill Crabtree, and Marshall Crabtree.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Sarah Ruth Crabtree Roles.
16 Comments To "Sarah Ruth Crabtree Roles"
#1 Comment By Betty Koonce On January 26, 2023 @ 2:20 pm
Tammy, So sorry to hear about your mother. May God be with you and the family in days to come.
#2 Comment By Lenace Hyde Lehnert On January 26, 2023 @ 2:34 pm
This lady was one of my favorites. Granny Ruth was definitely one of a kind. She loved her family, her friends, and life to the fullest. My prayers for your loss. Rest each day knowing she lived a long and wonderful life loving each of you.
#3 Comment By Lynn Towry Brown On January 26, 2023 @ 3:58 pm
So sorry for your loss, I worked at the hospital with her she was a good lady but said what she thought tuff lady prayers to the family
#4 Comment By Karen Gilliam On January 26, 2023 @ 4:49 pm
May the memories you cherish comfort you now and in the days to come. Much love to the family.
#5 Comment By Brenda Roles On January 26, 2023 @ 6:52 pm
Ruth was a good Mother-in-law. Not that we agreed on Everything, but we always worked it out. Ruth and I stained and polyurethaned ever stick of wood trim in two our our house in Fayetteville. It was hard work but we enjoyed working together. Ruth took several trips with Ernie, me and our family. We all loved going to the Smokey’s and of course Cades cove was one of our favorite places to go! She loved helping with our Grandchildren when she was called upon. Ruth always came thru in a pinch. When she came to the store on Winchester highway she was always sweeping or straightening something up. Not a lazy bone in her body. Ruth could work circles around the rest of us until her 80’s caught up with her and she started slowing down a wee bit. Ruth, you are already missed and you will always have a special place in our hearts. RIP
#6 Comment By Mary Ann Tackett On January 26, 2023 @ 6:55 pm
Tammy and family, I am so very sorrow to read about your mother passing. I would be there for you and yours but I am in West Palm Beach Fl and won’t be home unitl Monday. Ilove you and yours and if I can do anything for yall when I get home, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please give Jacob my love.
#7 Comment By Debbie Gauldin On January 26, 2023 @ 7:19 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ernie, Brenda and family. Ms Ruth is finally at peace.
We love you.
Tommie & Debbie Gauldin and Family
#8 Comment By Gayle Pridmore On January 26, 2023 @ 8:58 pm
So very sorry for the family of this wonderful lady. When I was in grade school I was lucky enough to have her as my nurse on two separate occasions when I had surgery. She always went beyond to calm and comfort this scared young child. She will be sorely missed
#9 Comment By Jimmy and Dana Sartain On January 27, 2023 @ 2:52 pm
So sorry for your loss
Praying for God to hold you up during this loss
#10 Comment By Freda Kinser Blair On January 27, 2023 @ 3:44 pm
So sorry to hear about Ruth. Prayers for family! May all the wonderful memories you shared bring comfort! I worked with Ruth at the hospital and have wonderful memories of her!
#11 Comment By Connie Porter On January 27, 2023 @ 4:44 pm
So sorry to hear about Ruth. We know the past few years were not easy for her or the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all you. We love you.
Bill Hampton
Tim & Connie Porter
#12 Comment By Darlene & Rachel On January 27, 2023 @ 8:04 pm
Praying for our Tennessee family. Aunt Ruth was a wonderful woman and our parents had nothing but kind things to say about her. When we saw her a few years ago, I hope she knew we were there and could feel our love. We all loved her so much and she would be so happy to know that we have all reconnected thanks to Facebook. The “Roles” family rocks because of the matriarchs we had like Aunt Ruth! Love you all! Hope to see you all soon!
#13 Comment By Glenda Fain On January 28, 2023 @ 1:35 am
We all loved her so much…. she was one of the best neighbors we ever had…. we are very sorry to hear of her passing, our prayers are with you all
#14 Comment By Cindy Harwell On January 29, 2023 @ 12:17 am
Where to begin! Lol… So many memories of her, but it seems we used to shop for groceries at the same time so that would lead to many 30 min chats with each other! I miss those chats!
#15 Comment By Anne Beddingfield On January 29, 2023 @ 6:28 am
My deepest condolences to the precious family. I am so very sorry sweet Jacob. I pray!
#16 Comment By Keele Raymur-Counts On February 9, 2023 @ 11:49 am
Tammy, Brenda and family.
you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I was truly to have met this special lady. my favorite memory of Miss Ruth was watching her face as Jacob would perform up at the Courthouse yrs ago during The Host. Boy oh boy could that lady dance. seeing the pride in her eyes was the best. My love to you all.