Ruth Legard

Ruth Ramey McNamara Legard passed away July 9th, 2023, in Gallatin, Tennessee where she had been residing since January of 2022. Ruth lived the prior 45 years in Leesburg, Virginia.

Born on July 11, 1930, Ruth grew up on her father’s farm in Berryville, Virginia. Despite her mom’s death when Ruth was two, she had a good childhood thanks to her loving father. He was a humble and gentle man, well respected by others.

Ruth graduated from James Madison University and was an art teacher for almost 30 years at Loudoun County High School. Her house was a virtual art gallery decorated with her woodwork projects, oil, pastel, and watercolor paintings, as well as pottery pieces.

Ruth loved traveling overseas and even took each granddaughter on their own European trips. Her travels included China, Japan, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Spain, Tunisia, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, and France.

An avid volunteer, Ruth served her community and those who were less fortunate.

Growing up with our mom was always an adventure. Multiple house windows found themselves broken by baseballs hit by mom or by us. This was after her, “make sure you don’t hit the house”, speech! Mom made sure we were physically active and ate healthy. Some of the best memories my brother and I have were deciphering what we were eating that mom had made. Once she served us pie without disclosing what it was. After we went “Yum” we were stunned by her gleefully proclaiming it was rhubarb pie. From then on, we were suspect of mom’s prepared “mystery dishes”.

Mom lived below her means, did her own house repairs, was a savvy investor, a proficient dinner host, and a good neighbor. She was a longtime member of Catoctin Presbyterian Church in Waterford, Virginia.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Leroy Kephart McNamara and Fleta May Ramey McNamara, her brother Jack McNamara, and grandson Casey Parks. She is survived by her 2 sons Mike Legard and Allan (Nancy) Legard,  three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Ruth Legard will be held at Enders and Shirley Funeral Home in Berryville, Virginia on July 21 at 11 AM with visitation one hour before. Burial to follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home in Brentwood, Tennessee or her church, Catoctin Presbyterian Church in Waterford, Virginia.