Ruth Howell Lemly of West Jefferson died Dec. 6, 2012, at Margate Health and Rehab Center in Jefferson. She was 80.

Mrs. Lemly was born Sept. 30, 1932, to the late James Getter and Lucy Barr Howell.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Clayton Lemly of West Jefferson; one son, Michael J. Lemly of West Jefferson; two granddaughters, Michelle Walters of Charlotte, and Melanie Lemly of Greensboro; two sisters, Jessie Dillard of Jefferson and Ann Bumgarner of Hudson; two brothers, Paul Howell and Ray Howell, both of West Jefferson; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at the West Jefferson United Methodist Church by Rev. Peter Taylor.

Ruth was co-owner of the Ashe “ACE” Hardware in West Jefferson for 28 years.

The family requests memorials be made to the West Jefferson United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 826, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

Her kind spirit and wonderful smile will be greatly missed.