Carol “Ruth” Settle Thompson, 94, died peacefully March 2nd, 2025 with family and caregivers by her side at Wyngate at Rivers Edge in Proctorville, Ohio.
Ruth was born April 3, 1930, in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Samuel Britton Settle and LaVantia Pearl Elliot Settle.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, the Reverend Charles E Thompson, her parents, her father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George W Thompson, her sisters, June Elise Edwards and Mary Virginia “Ginnie” Lowther, and her brother-in-law, James R Edwards.
She is survived by her daughter, Vicki C Lycan, her son C. David Thompson (Tammy), granddaughter LyRonda M Ventura, grandsons Kyle A. Thompson (Courtney) and Dustin R Meadows, great-grandsons Charles Ventura, Elian Ventura and Donovan A. Meadows, brother-in-law Reverend Dewayne R. Lowther, nieces Paula V McGrew, Sarah V. Hensley, Mary Catherine Perkins, Kathi Lowery, and nephew Samuel Edwardsand their families. Her loving cat, Precious, was by her side for her entire stay at Wyngate.
After graduating from Parkersburg High School in 1948, she enrolled at West Virginia Wesleyan College where she met her future husband during the first week of school. Ruth cut her college career short after her freshman year, was married in September 1949, and enjoyed a wonderful 36-year marriage prior to her husband’s death in 1985.
Ruth had resumed her college career in 1963, obtaining her BA and master’s degrees in music from Marshall University. She taught music in Wayne County, WV for Buffalo High School and Ceredo-Kenova High School for well over 20 years, before retiring in 1992.
At every church that she and her late husband served, she took on a variety of roles, including pianist, organist, choir director, soloist, and youth director, always utilizing her many musical talents to serve the Lord. Many youngsters in the Westmoreland area were introduced to piano under her tutelage. She sang in the Huntington Musical Arts Guild and spent well over 20 years providing music for the Veterans Administration Hospital Sunday worship services.
After her husband’s death in 1985, she devoted the majority of her time to her family. She did, however, continue to teach and she enjoyed coaching the boy’s golf team at Ceredo-Kenova High School, once earning conference coach of the year honors. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with her friends at Spring Valley Country Club.
Ruth was an honest, loving, caring, trustworthy, and patient individual. She had a heart of gold and was kind and compassionate to all people, no matter what their plight in life.She touched many people in every aspect of her life and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Wyngate at Rivers Edge for their kind and compassionate care over the last six years. They became a second family to “Ms. Ruthie”. She was truly loved by the fine ladies and gentlemen who cared for her.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at Kenova United Methodist Church in Kenova, WV on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 12:30 pm. Visitation at the church prior to the service from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations to the following two churches which represent the first church and the last church in Westmoreland which were served by Ruth and herlate husband, the Reverend Charles E Thompson.
Westmoreland United Methodist Church
3602 Auburn Rd
Huntington, WV 25704
Vinson Memorial Christian Church
3800 Piedmont Rd
Huntington, WV 25704
Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with services.
I am saddened to hear of Mrs. Thompson’s passing. I was a student of hers in 1977-78 when I was in 7th grade band at C-K High School. She was a wonderful teacher who taught me to play snare drum. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.