Ruth DeShong

DESHONG, Mrs. Ruth Marie - Age 91, passed away Monday, November 7, 2005 at Kith Haven Nursing Home. Family hour 10:30AM Saturday, November 12, 2005 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, G-5443 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Pastor Alfred L. Harris, Sr., officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Saturday. Mrs. DeShong will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Friday. Mrs. Ruth Marie DeShong was born on February 6, 1914 in Atwood, Tennessee. She was one of 10 children of the late Wesley and Alice Belew. Her childhood was spent in McLemoresville, TN. Ruth confessed her faith at an early age and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McLemoresville. She united in Holy Matrimony with Lee L. DeShong in 1934 and they became residents of Flint in 1955, where they resided until their death. In Flint, Mrs. DeShong united with the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in 1955 and was a member of the Home Bible Study Group up until her illness. Prior to her illness she cared for her ailing husband, Lee L. Mrs. DeShong could often be found working in her vegetable garden, shelling peas or picking greens while watching her "stories". She enjoyed cooking and babysitting for several neighborhood kids who still called her "grandma". Although she was confined to a nursing home in her later years, she still enjoyed visiting with her family, especially her grandchildren who brought a smile to her face. Mrs. Ruth Marie DeShong leaves to cherish her memory; her devoted daughter, Annie (Joshua) Hicks of Flint: 7 grandchildren, Andree (Gwen) Hicks of Flint, Relesia (Darryl) Gray of Grand Prairie, TX, Monica (fiancÚ Clayton) Hicks of Flint, Steven (Linda), Robin, and Lee (Jody) DeShong, all of Columbus, OH, and Gina DeShong of Flint; 6 great grandchildren, Dyonna DeShong, Eboni, Cameron and Devin Gray, Aleah Hicks, and Kaylee DeShong; sisters, Hazel Juanita (Cornelius) Whitthorne of Montrose, MI, and Helen Belew of McLemoresville, TN; brother-in-law, J.D. Pearson of McLemoresville, TN; and sister-in-law, Edith Belew of Flint; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. DeShong was preceded in death by her sons, Manley and Baby DeShong; sisters, Ruby D. Belew, Sammie Ree Pearson, Josephine Reaves, Othella Johnson and Lurlean Murphy; brothers, James and Archie Belew. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Kiran and the Kith Haven Nursing Home Nurses and Nurses Aid staff for their care of our loved one.

Ruth DeShong

February 1, 1914 - November 7, 2005