Ruth Adaline Coury

Ruth Adaline Coury

Unfortunately, I was unable to say goodbye, in person, to all of my family and friends. Hopefully, this will serve as my voice to thank each of you for your part in my 102-year life. My name is Ruth Adaline Coury and I have had much to be thankful for. Born June 24, 1923 to Chester Arthur and Ethid Elizabeth (Waller) McGlumphy, I grew up in Simpson and Flemington, WV along with my other six siblings, Benton, Betty, Arthur, Eloise, Tom, and Emma Lou. I am the last to have passed on and will join my husband, Pete. At the time of his death, we were approaching our 81st year of marriage. Our legacy, three beloved children (Gary Coury, Shelia Park, and Brad Coury), three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

I was the middle child of seven and my father was a mortician and funeral home owner. My mother was a college graduate, a school teacher, and she and my father were married in Parkersburg in 1910. None of us choose the family we are born into and I was fortunate. My father was an excellent provider and my mother was the kindest, gentlest, and humblest of souls. She taught me to be humble, respectful, and that status does not define a person. She set an example that I did my best to follow all the days of my life. My son, Brad, would say that she instilled in me a “quiet determination” to overcome the obstacles and challenges that life presents.

In January 1941, while on a sleepover with a friend, we went to the “Silver Slipper”, a new dance club. It was my first time at such an establishment and my only visit there. However, that one visit changed the course of my life. Pete Coury, who was also visiting the club for the first time, saw me and was smitten. Eloise, my older sister, was also at the club and advised me not to go out with Pete but four months later, on the day after my graduation from Flemington HS, Pete and I eloped. We moved in with his parents, and six of his eight siblings, in Clarksburg, WV. I quickly became a member of the family, learning to cook favorite family meals from my mother-in-law, Annie. This was a wonderful time in my life. However, it was interrupted seven months later when the Japanese attacked our naval forces at Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered World War II.

My first child, Gary, was born in 1943. Shortly thereafter, Pete was off serving the war effort in the Pacific on LST 790. Like many wives left at home, I joined the ranks of other “Rosie the Riveters” making munitions for bombs at the Hart Brothers’ Machine Company. Initially, I removed the metal burrs from the cast bomb heads. Later I became an inspector, examining and measuring the finished bomb heads to ensure they met specifications. When the war ended, Pete and I were reunited and, by the end of 1946, we had a second addition to the family with the birth of our daughter, Shelia. We moved to Parkersburg in 1947 and, five years later, into a home in Vienna, where I have resided for the last 73 years. It was there that I had the final addition to the family, my dear son, Brad.

In 1961, at age 38, I enrolled in a hairstyling school in Marietta, OH and 15 months later was working at the Pink Lady Beauty Salon in the Park Shopping Center. Three years later, Pete built my own shop, the “Silhouette”, on Emerson Ave where I employed as many as 11 hairstylists at a time. Being a hairstylist and business owner enriched my life. I met so many people, many of whom became lifelong friends. Also, during this time period, I was invited to join Beta Sigma Phi, an international noncollegiate sorority. Our Chapter was comprised of a close-knit group of women.

After 20 years in business, I retired from the hair salon in 1985. I spent these remaining years traveling, spending time with family, and enjoying friends. I have been blessed throughout my life and have maintained strong friendships with wonderful people too numerous to name. It has been a great life, and I could not ask for a more loving family, incredible friends and so many opportunities.

However, without comparison, being a mother was the most treasured and fulfilling role of my life. My youngest son, Brad, wrote this poem for me. It is something I wish all children felt about their mothers.

“My Mother”

I did not choose my birth mother, it was a choice made for me,

By my Lord and Savior, who I thank on bended knee.

For His choice for me was perfect, I experienced unconditional love,

From the sweetest, most loving mother, who has joined our Lord above!

As I close this final chapter of my life this 29th day of October 2025, I would like to acknowledge a few individuals and organizations that I believe deserve recognition. Dr. Joan Allman and staff at WV Medicine Cornerstone; Dr. John Goddard and staff at Parkersburg Cardiology Associates; Wood County Senior Citizens; Amedisys Hospice and staff; EMS personnel and First Responders. But most of all, for my neighbors Norma Caudill and Ray Reynolds, neither of which seek recognition, but both of which have loved and supported Pete and I over the last 50 plus years. They are part of my family, along with caregivers: Kathy Daggett, Linda Starcher, Tanya Taylor, and Lana Cremeans. Each, in their own special way, enriched the final years of my life. To all, I wish a life of happiness and contentment!

A Celebration of My Life will be held on Saturday, November 15th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Leavitt Reception Center, 620 Avery St, Parkersburg, WV. In-lieu-of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to my family at LeavittFuneralHome.com.