Ruth Ford Penland

NC Funeral Director passes at 106 Years of Age

Ruth Ford Penland went to be with her Heavenly Father on May 22, 2025.

She was born on June 19, 1918, to Edney and Bessie Sluder Ford.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Arthur Penland; sons, Jerry Ford Penland and Joe David Penland Sr.; brothers Wayne Ford, Rex Ford (twin), Leonard Ford; and sister, Lois Mumpower

George and Ruth grew up in Clay County (Hayesville) and were high school sweethearts. They graduated together in the class of 1935. Ruth was salutatorian during the last five years of school.

George and Ruth were married on August 28, 1937, and had three sons, Jerry, Jim, and Joe. In the 1940s and 1950s, they operated Penland Feed Store, Penland Egg and Hatcher, Tri-State Wholesale Co., and a Grade A dairy farm.

In 1959, they sold out and moved to Swannanoa, N.C., where George went to work at Beacon Mfg Co., Ruth and Jerry went to work at Gerbers, Jim attended Western Carolina College and later retired from Square D Co., Joe went to work for a dental co. and later became manager of Penland and Sons Funeral Home, and Jerry retired from Beacon.

In 1963, Ruth went to work at Mission Hospital as an Admitting Supervisor and then moved to Berryman Hall Funeral Home in Asheville, where George was manager. In 1970, they bought the business and changed its name to Penland and Sons Funeral Home.

In 1976, they operated Penland and Sons Funeral Home at 125 South Ave in Swannanoa. The funeral home in Asheville burned down in 1986. They bought a home and moved next door to the funeral home in Swannanoa.

George passed away in 2001, and Jerry passed away in 2005. After retiring in 2005, Jim joined Ruth and Joe to operate the funeral home until his passing in 2014.

After 60 years of dedicated service, Ruth decided to slow down. Her grandson, Jason, joined Jim in operating the funeral home and changed its name to Penland Family Funeral Home.

Ruth is survived by her son James (Jim) Penland (Linda), sister Sue Crittenden of Chelsea, Michigan, and daughter-in-laws, Janice Penland and Terri Penland. Grandchildren: LaDonna Sluder (Lawrence), Leslie Penland, Jeff Penland (Cathy), Anthony Penland (Cindy), Michele Smith (Bill), Keith Penland (Christi), Joe David Penland Jr.,(Rhea), Jimmy Penland (Tanya) Jennifer Wilson (John), Jason Penland (Shelly); 20 Great Grandchildren, 21 Great – Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and Charles Graves whom she loved like a son.

A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Swannanoa on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 2:30, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:30. Allen Rash and Scott Lynch will conduct the service.

A second service will be conducted on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Oak Forest Methodist Church, Hayesville, N.C., at 2:00, with visitations from 1:00 to 2:00. Tim Lee and Jackie Sellers will conduct the service.

The interment will be in the Oak Forest Cemetery.