Ruth Hairston Strawn was born to Gus and Delphia Hairston on April 18, 1913. She married William M. Strawn on July 4, 1931 and they had twelve children.She held various jobs but her main responsibility was that of caring for her children. She died on Sunday, March 15, 1987.

Whereas, the Almighty God in His infinite wisdom, has seen it fit to call from our midst our beloved mother and sister, Ruth. After a lengthy illness, she slept away into the beyond. Ruth was the daughter of the late Gustavas and Delphia Hairston Hairston. She was born April 8, 1913 in Martinsville, Virginia where she lived all of her life.

She attended the Presbyterian School under the principal, Rev. G. P. Watkins and was a member of High Street Baptist Church.

In 1932, she married William M. Strawn, Sr., under the pastorate of the late Rev. Hezekiah Morris. To this union twelve children were born, three of whom preceded her in death, Ruth Alberta, Bernice Claudia, and Coretha.

Surviving relatives include: five daughters , Mrs. Barbara S. Williams, Roosevelt, N. Y., Mrs. Delphine S. Draper, Mrs. Maxine S. Martin, Ms. Rita Agnew, and Miss Mabel D. Strawn, all of Martinsville, Virginia; four sons, William M. Strawn , Jr. of the home, Jame E. Strawn of Bland, Va., Melvin Strawn of Silver Spring, Md, and Calbert Strawn of Vienna, Va; one sister, Miss Mabel Hairston of Martinsville, twenty one grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; six sister-in-laws; Mrs. Bessie J. Hairston, Mrs. Gracie S. Strong, Mrs. Edna S. DeShazo, all of Martinsville, Ms. Mary Strawn of Baltimore, Mrs. Jessie Strawn of Atlanta, Ga., Mrs. Rubena C. Hairston of Washington, D. C., and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

In the passing of Ruth, we've lost a loving mother, sister and a friend to al who came in contact with her.