Ruby Chloe Wright Testerman

Ruby Chloe Wright Testerman, age 95, of Vinton, Virginia, completed her earthly journey on Monday, February 29, 2016 in Roanoke, Virginia. She was living self-reliantly until the onset of a sudden illness in December of 2015. She was born in Shady Valley, Tennessee on May 17, 1920, the next to last of seven children, to Girdie Belle McEwen Wright and Allen Jesse Wright, on the farm that has been in the family since 1789.   Ruby Testerman’s calling to care for others has been lived out as a mother and as a nurse on three continents, including Africa, in addition to Europe and North America. Ruby served as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Nurse Corps in Swindon, England during World War II, attending to soldiers wounded in The Battle of the Bulge..   Ruby completed registered nursing training at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia. She continued her education at both the Medical College of Virginia and the University of Virginia.   From 1954 to 1987, she worked competently and compassionately as a public health nurse with the Roanoke County Health Department. In her retirement years, she traveled far and wide, as well as donating much volunteer time to church and charitable organizations, making new friends along the way..   She was the last surviving of the seven children. Her siblings were Preston Wright, Kyle Wright, Retha Morley McKee, Lena Ruth Douglas, Letha Sluder and Haynes Wright.   She was one of a long line of strong matriarchs. Her mind for details suited her to being the family genealogist, oral historian and storyteller.   She was married for 23 years to Virgil Lee Testerman (d. January 2, 1972). Survivors include Michael Lee Testerman and family friend, Miriam Daughtry of Richmond, VA; Dennis Eugene Testerman and wife Paula Meador Testerman of Concord, NC; sisters-in-law, Eva Testerman and Christine Wright, as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces, with whom she has maintained extensive personal ties.   A Celebration of Ruby’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016 at Vinton Baptist Church, where she was an active member for 62 years. Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Oakey’s Funeral Services-Vinton location. A visitation will also be held at Mountain City Funeral Home, Mountain City, Tennessee on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 6-8:00 p.m. Graveside Service and Interment will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the old Gentry Cemetery, now Shady Valley Memorial Gardens in Shady Valley, Tennessee (US 421). Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.   In lieu of flowers and at the request of Ruby, memorials may be made to the Vinton Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 306, Vinton, VA 24179-0306.   Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mountaincityfh.com.   The family of Ruby Chloe Wright Testerman has entrusted her services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683 and Oakeys Funeral Home of Vinton, Virginia.