Ruth Humphreys Harkreader

Ruth Humphreys Harkreader, age 54 of Brentwood, TN, passed away at her home on October 14, 2009 in the care of her immediate family after coping courageously with Scleroderma for over two years. Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Cloid Massey Humphreys. She is survived by her husband and soul mate, Mike Harkreader; a daughter, Kimberly Cox of Hermitage; a son, Brian Harkreader of White House, TN; her mother, Elsie Brizendine Humphreys of Brentwood, TN; and a sister, Linda Humphreys of Sarver, PA; as well as four grandsons and extended family. Ruth was the epitome of a compassionate, caring, professional Registered Nurse and will be missed by her colleagues at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Nashville, Cumberland University and Vanderbilt University. Ruth worked both as a staff nurse and in administration for 33 years, respected everyone she came in contact with, regardless of their stature or position, and was a mentor and role model for many who had the opportunity to work with her. She loved nature and the Smoky Mountains in particular. She hiked the trails in the backcountry for years with Mike and her children. She also had a special attachment to every pet that had the good fortune to be a member of the family, as well as the birds and other wildlife that visited her backyard wildlife habitat. Ruth’s life will be celebrated in a memorial service at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, TN on Friday, November 6 at 2:00 PM, with a visitation time 30 minutes prior. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested for Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203, or the Scleroderma Foundation at www.scleroderma.org