Ruth Darnell Quisenberry, 95, recently of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully in her home on October 2, 2024.

Born on June 26, 1929, near Luray, VA, she was the daughter of the late John and Irene Darnell. Ruth was one of 4 children, with whom she was quite close.  She had an older brother Lewis “Buddy”, an older sister Nellie, and a younger brother John. 

Ruth, or “Grammy” as she was affectionately known by her family, spent much of her life living in Charles Town, WV, and would often travel with her family to her second home in Shipman, VA. She worked as an Executive Secretary for the Board of Trustees of United Mine Workers of America. Grammy was adored by the Board, who were sad to see her leave upon retirement after many years of service.

All three of her children were people of service.  Her oldest son, Ron, was a Corporal in the Montgomery County Police Department, her son Joe was a lifelong firefighter, and her daughter Theresa was an Administrative Officer for a principal investigator at the NIH.  Ruth was very proud of her three children and all they accomplished.

Grammy enjoyed cooking and baking for her family,and was always bringing something tasty to family events.  At such gatherings, everyone always especially looked forward to her lemon bars and her lemon meringue pie.  She loved sewing, crafting, and quilt making, and was often working away at a new, beautiful quilt for someone. 

Grammy loved to have her family around, and it was a rare occasion to not find someone milling around her home sharing a story and a memory, or “stealing” a mint from her candy jar.  Even after she moved into her smaller, more manageable home in her later years, the whole family would cram in for holidays to feast and laugh.  If you went to visit Grammy’s house, you were sure to leave there with a full belly, a warm heart, and maybe a fresh tomato or two from her garden.

Grammy loved to travel, seeing many places in the world, and was particularly fond of cruises.  She and her family spent quite a bit of time floating around the Caribbean and seeing the sights. Even well into her nineties she set sail to Bermuda, much of her family in tow.  In the fall, she would invite the entire family to join her for a trip to Nelson County, VA, to partake in apple orchard festivals, sightseeing, reliving memories with her family, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even in the later years of her life, she was always active, playing cards a couple nights a week with her friends in the community where she lived, and visiting the Lisbon firehouse to enjoy their monthly breakfast or partake in their bingo night.

Ruth was a wonderful, kind, charitable, and resilient woman who will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her children: Ron Wilson and Donna Cruickshank of Damascus, MD, Joseph Wilson of Mount Airy, MD, and Theresa Lumsden and her husband Art of Deale, MD; her grandchildren: Kimberly Wilson and Mike Riley of Mount Airy, MD, Erika Slebodnik of Frederick, MD, Christina Wilson of Frederick, MD, Jenny Rearden and her husband Shawn of Frederick, MD, and Megan Sims and her husband Dave of Frederick, MD; and by 6 great-grandchildren that are also part of her legacy: Joseph, Gabrielle, Xander, Molly, Noah, and Ryan.

Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers Buddy Darnell and John Darnell, her sister Nellie Sorrell, and her husband Bill “Quiz” Quisenberry.

Ruth’s family will receive friends at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, on Wednesday, October 9th from 12-1 p.m. Interment will follow the service at All Souls Cemetery, Germantown, MD.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at: www.molesworthwilliams.com