Ruth Catherine Jones Fishel

Mrs. Ruth Catherine Jones Fishel, 90, passed away on August 18, 2013. A lifelong resident of Winston-Salem, Mrs. Fishel was born on September 6, 1922 to Burt and Thelma (Nelson) Jones. The youngest of five sisters, Ruth spent her life dedicated to her family and friends. While attending Griffith High School, Mrs. Fishel met her future husband, Elra Otto Fishel. Shortly after graduating, the couple married and settled on Mr. Fishel's family farm behind Friedberg Moravian Church in southern Forsyth County. The couple quickly entered into the ""family business"" of farming. To supplement their incomes, Mrs. Fishel spent more than 30 years working in Factory No. 8 for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, retiring in 1982. Mrs. Fishel loved her home and loved her family. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Fishel raised a son, David, himself a retiree of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Later, Mrs. Fishel helped to raise her two grandchildren, Craig and Jennifer. She also served as a surrogate grandmother to countless friends of her grandchildren, all of whom only knew her by the name ""Nanny."" The grandparent of two grandchildren who were active in sports, Mrs. Fishel could often be found in a basketball gym or at Southwest Little League. Ruth Fishel was preceded in death by her husband, Elra Fishel; her sisters: Mayme Whitt, Edith Eddinger, Sallie Idol and Blanche Mock; a brother who died in infancy; and her granddaughter Jennifer Nicole Fishel. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David and Patti Fishel of Tampa, Fla.; her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Craig and Susan Fishel of Winston-Salem; and four great-grandchildren: Eden, Cecily, David and Peyton Fishel. Always a simple woman, Mrs. Fishel would never want anyone to make a fuss over her. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Forsyth Memorial Park on Yadkinville Road in Winston-Salem with the Rev. James C. Newsome, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Jennifer N. Fishel Memorial Scholarship Fund at The Art Institute in Tampa, Fla. Donations can be made payable to The Education Foundation, 210 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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