She is survived by her husband, Rev. Forest Porter, jr.; daughter, Rev. Dr. Sara Porter Keeling and her husband Shawn; grandchildren Savannah, Sage, and Stone Keeling; brother Shannon Swortzel and his wife Sandra; sister-in-law Annie Wax; six nephews and nieces; and numerous great nephews and nieces.

Ruth grew up as a self-proclaimed “tomboy,” relishing adventures with her beloved brother and numerous cousins. She studied history at Madison College and taught history, geography, and civics for nine years at Waynesboro High School. Married to Forest, a United Methodist minister, for 52 years, they lived in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Beach, Orange, and Lake Anna. She was his partner in life and ministry, serving the churches alongside him from administrative work to teaching Sunday School.

Ruth loved history, politics, genealogy, and family history. She was the keeper of the family lore. She was extraordinarily creative, enjoying baking, painting, drawing, and crafts. She loved rocks and the stars, plants, and mountains. She delighted in the vast goodness of God’s Creation. She and Forest loved to camp and travel, visiting family in various places around the country and spending time in Florida. She was nearly always the first to see the absurdity in a situation and was gifted with a wry sense of humor. 

She loved all her family, and especially delighted in her grandchildren, in playing games with them, doing projects together, entertaining their various taste buds, and connecting with them on their levels.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Arrangements: The family will receive friends on Sunday July 6, 4-6 pm at Preddy Funeral Home, 250 W Main St, Orange Va; Memorial service Monday, July 7, 11 am at Trinity UMC, 143 W Main St, Orange, Va; and internment at 4:00 PM at the Riverview Cemetery 420 Rosser Ave, Waynesboro, Va. Rev. Josh Munnikhuysen, officiating. 

The family requests that any donations in Ruth’s memory go to Trinity UMC (143 W Main St, Orange, VA 22960) or Love Outreach Food Pantry (PO Box 788, Orange VA 22960).