Ruthie Wagner Mitchell

Ruthie Mae Wagner Mitchell “Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning” Mae Mitchell went into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday night, August 26. Her daughter, Carolyn, and her grandson Matthew and his wife, Jessica were at her side. Mae was predeceased by her parents, George and Virginia Wagner. Her daughter, Kimberly Dawn Hodges, who died at the age of 18 months, and her husband, Jack Leonard Hodges. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Handy Furrow, and Michelle Wild and Michelle’s fiancé, Johnny Perdue. She is also survived by her grandsons Matthew Handy and his wife Jessica Handy of Charlottesville and Dalton Wild of the home. Mae loved her grandsons dearly and was very lucky to have Dalton, age 12, in her later life. They were friends and both enjoyed a love of history. Mae came from a close and loving family. She is survived by her brother, Henry Wagner and his wife Betty, her sisters, Jean Hamlett, Nancy Jones, Judy Martin and Sharlene Almond and her husband Ed. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She especially loved Kristen Caldwell. She always said that Kristen was her inspiration to keep on going and keep on walking, even when she felt like giving up. Her family, especially her daughter, Carolyn, would like to thank Dr. Jack Bumgardner who cared for Mae for many years; Dr. Fogel, Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Love, and Dr. Rodriguez, her surgical team, who tried mightily to save her life; Dr. Lollar, Dr. Reed, Dr. Warren and Dr. Murphy, her critical care team, who checked on her constantly. Mae especially thanks Dr. Murphy for bringing her last Mountain Dew, which unfortunately, she never got to drink. We also thank every nurse who cared for her in the ICU units at Roanoke Memorial, especially David, Rachel, Taylor, Errin, Sandy and others too numerous to name. Mae was an accomplished seamstress, who could do everything from making wedding dresses to hemming a pair of pants. Even to her last days, she worked on quilts and crocheted afghans for her family. She worked at Bristol Manufacturing for many years. She will be greatly missed and can never be replaced. Her family will receive visitors at the Lynch Conner Bowman funeral home from noon until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31, to be followed by her funeral service at 2:00 which be conducted by Pastor Gary Hoffman and Pastor Billy Shively. There will be a reception following the funeral service at the Erath Room at Ippy’s Restaurant. Mae will be interred later beside the love of her life, her husband, Jack, and her daughter, Kim, in the Hodges family cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Free Clinic of Franklin County, 1171 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151.