Ruth Catharine Groves Elliott

Ruth Catharine Groves Elliott of Coleman’s, MD, died peacefully in the presence of her family on Sunday, January 27, 2019. She was 96. Known as Miss Ruth by many, she was born on July 28, 1922, in Kennedyville, MD, the daughter of the late William Benjamin Groves and Catharine Cooper Roe Groves. She graduated from Chestertown High School in 1937 and married her high school sweetheart, Robert Harding Elliott, on June 7, 1942, at the Still Pond Parsonage. They spent their honeymoon camping and fishing on Still Pond Creek. Ruth and Bob were married 68 years before he preceded her in death. Ruth and Bob were owners of Elliott’s Sporting Goods and General Merchandise Store in Coleman’s, MD. She greeted customers with a broad smile and a story until the store was closed in 1985, when the couple retired. In the late fifties, the couple began breeding and raising yellow Labradors. Ruth lovingly cared for their many litters of puppies, which were prized for their hunting skills and gentle dispositions. She was co-founder and leader of the Winneconne 4-H Club in Betterton. An accomplished seamstress herself, Ruth taught many 4-H girls the skill of sewing. She also served as a judge in the county 4-H cooking and sewing competitions. She loved being outdoors. One of her great pleasures was fishing on the couple’s boat, the Rubob. She also loved growing vegetables and flowers. She was an accomplished cook, who skillfully prepared meals for her family and friends using ingredients from her garden as well as wild game and fish. Ruth will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She is survived by her four children, Virginia (Ginger) Black of Hamburg, NY, Arthur Elliott and his wife, Ethel, of Quaker Neck, MD, Nancy Kenney and her husband, Charles, of Easton, MD, and Linda Elliott and her husband, Terry Walman, of Annapolis, MD; as well as her three sisters, Mary Roe Walkup of Worton, MD, Virginia Liddell of Federalsburg, MD, and Ethel Brandon of Elkton, MD; and her seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one brother, Bedford Groves; two sisters, Rebecca Smith and Anna Belle Owens Darwin; and one grandson, Steven Rolph Townshend. She is also survived by her beloved yellow Labrador, Sassy. A celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at the Betterton Volunteer Fire Company at noon on Saturday, April 20. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in her memory to the Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, 2 Howell Point Road, Betterton, MD 21610; the Betterton United Methodist Church, 300 Main Street, Betterton, MD 24068; or the Union United Methodist Church, 13223 Wyble Rd, Worton, MD 21678.

Ruth Catharine Groves Elliott

July 28, 1922 - January 27, 2019