Ruth Louise Shields Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ruth Louise (Cummings) Shields was born January 15, 1938 in Donora, PA and died May 28, 2022 in Peachtree Corners, GA. She was the beloved first daughter of Rossie Mae Holloway Cummings, and Griffin Cummings, and devoted friend to many. Ruth was the loving wife of Roger Lanier Shields, who preceded her in death. She was the mother of two sons, Mark DeGross (Kathy) and Michael DeGross (Iresha), as well as stepmother to Doracherie Bryan. Ruth was also a grandmother, great-grandmother, dearly loved cousin, as well as treasured aunt and great-aunt to nearly 50 nieces and nephews. Last, but by no means least, Ruth was the eldest of nine children born to Rossie and Griffin, and she was greatly adored by her younger siblings: Calvin, Kenneth, Cora, Carol (dec.), Linda, Rosalind, Crystal (Robert) and Deborah (Nathaniel). As a young child, Ruth moved to Brooklyn, NY where she grew up and spent her formative years. In 1955, she graduated from Girl’s High School and later, began working at the Talking Typewriter, which created “extraordinary learning devices for children.” While working there, she made many lifelong friends, which included the owner of the business, and with whom she kept in close contact throughout the years and with multiple generations of his family. After her time at the Talking Typewriter, Ruth went on to have a distinguished 20-year career with the New York City Board of Education as a paraprofessional. She was an advocate for early childhood education, and she took special pride in being able to easily recount at what age each of her nieces and nephews began to read. During that time, she was also famously known among her family and friends for driving an orange Volkswagen Beetle which she named ‘Ladybug.’ In August of 1988, Ruth married Roger Lanier Shields, and he was the love of her life. In addition to traveling, they built an active life together filled with good times, professional achievements, and many great friends, including Herbie and Joyce Rayside. It was during this time, Ruth entered on duty with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a Personnel Assistant and retired in December 2003. Ruth will be remembered for many things, but high among them are her beauty, her sense of style, her greeting cards, her letters, her singing, her generosity and hospitality, her story-telling and her ability to make friends no matter the circumstance. Her kindness and warmth made her a people magnet. She never once met a stranger! In addition to the family she leaves behind, Ruth also had scores of friends and former colleagues, who were more like family to her. She had a true zest for life and was full of personality! She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA on a future date yet to be determined, with a Celebration of Life immediately following. The family wishes to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences.

Ruth Louise Shields

January 15, 1938 - May 28, 2022