Alma Ruth Pierson

Alma Ruth Pierson, 76, of Jefferson Street, Meadville, died peacefully at her son’s home in Camden, DE on Monday, June 27, 2005, surrounded by her family.

Ruth was born on November 17, 1928 in Chattanooga, Oklahoma. Her parents Lucas Dreith and Katherine (Strecker) Dreith were Germans who emigrated from Russia in the late 19th century.  Ruth grew up on the family farm, where she participated in the daily activities of farming life.  After high school, she attended Cosmetology School and later worked in a prestigious hair salon in Dallas, TX.  She later worked as a bank teller at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, where she eventually met her husband Richard.    Ruth and Richard married on June 6, 1953 and moved to Meadville, PA to begin raising a family.  After the three children were born they moved to Stevensville, MI in 1966 and later returned to Meadville in 1974.  After Richard’s death in April of 2005, Ruth resided in Camden, DE where her family cared for her until her death from a very short and unexpected illness.

Ruth was a devoted and loving wife, mother and homemaker.  She was also very active in her community and church.  While in Stevensville, MI, she was an active member of Friends of the Library, and also the lead chairperson for the club’s annual Follies Charity fundraiser.  In Meadville she was an active member of the Meadville Garden Club, Meadville Medical Center Auxiliary, Crawford County Genealogy Society, Crawford County Historical Society, and a past Board member of the Meadville YWCA.  She played golf with the “9-hole League” at Meadville Country Club, and participated in Sewing and Bridge Groups.  Ruth was a past Deacon and Elder of First Presbyterian Church of Meadville, a past leader of Hope Circle, and a member of Presbyterian Women’s Circle.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, L. Richard Pierson, her parents Lucas Dreith and Katherine Strecker Dreith and a brother Rubin Dreith.

Mrs. Pierson is survived by three children:  Ruth Ann Patterson, and her husband Mark of Chambersburg, PA; Paul Richard Pierson, and his wife Penny of Camden, DE;

David Lee Pierson and his wife Marjorie of Durham, NC; and seven grandchildren,

Andrew and Philip Patterson, and Sarah, Katie, Isabelle, William and Hayes Pierson.

She is also survived by her sister, Helen Yarbrough of Phoenix, AZ and three brothers:  Harold Dreith and his wife Lydia of Rolfe, IA; Samuel Dreith and his wife Lavada of Spokane, WA and Ernest Dreith and his wife Shirley of Chattanooga, OK.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, and Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the church foyer at First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville.

The funeral will follow Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Dr. Brian K. Jensen, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St. Meadville, PA 16335 or Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901.