Ruth J Ten Hagen Obituary

Mrs. Ten Hagen was born January 16, 1924 to the late Wyman G. Jones and Naomi Hall Jones. Mrs. Ten Hagen moved to Albany as an infant and graduated form Albany High school in 1941. She attended Brenau College, Asbury College and Wesleyan College, majoring in music. Ruth was a singer/radio performer in the late 1930's on WGPC. She married Donald C. Ten Hagen July 14, 1945, and she and her husband Donald purchased Parkway Pharmacy, where she worked part-time until the business was sold in 1976. Ruth has always been a very active member of First United Methodist Church. She centered her volunteer work on the church and community. She was a member of the sanctuary choir for over 50 years and has served as officer many times, member of the United Methodist Women, serving as president from 1967-1968 and served on the board of directors fro many years, member of the First United Methodist Administrative Board , church older adult coordinator, District Superintendents Committee for the Methodist Church from 1985-1995, organized the Children's Choir program at FUMC in 1957 and served as a volunteer choir director until her retirement in 1989. Ruth was also a volunteer for the ACTO (Alzheimer's Caretakers Organization), providing music programs for patients. She visited shut-ins, nursing homes and hospitals. She volunteered to take them to appointments, meetings, etc. and was always trying to help those in need. She joined the Jr. Women's Club of Albany in 1953 and volunteered in any area needed. She was a volunteer for the choral group which sang at their national convention in Detroit. She directed the Children's Choir Festival in Feb. of 1959 which was sponsored by the club. Ruth was a charter member of the Albany Symphony Guild and volunteered in many capacities and held board positions. She was a life member of the Charity League and served as a Pink Lady Volunteer at Phoebe Putney memorial Hospital for 15 years. She served on the board and was the liaison between Easter seals and the League.Ruth taught at Porterfield Kindergarten from 1976-1980 and taught music at Kindelore Preschool from 1981-1987. She received the Golden Deed award by the Exchange Club in 1996.Ruth had tireless energy when it came to helping others. She had genuine love and devotion for the young and old, and was never to busy for anyone who needed her. She went about quietly about her Father's business from early till late each day.She was preceded in death by her husband Donald C. Ten Hagen and her brother, Ralph P. Jones.Survivors include her son, Donald C. Ten Hagen, Jr. and his wife Dinah of Yorktown, VA, daughters, Barbara Horton and her husband Jim of Winston-Salem, NC and Debbie K. Sutton of Albany, sister-in-law, Grace Jones of Albany, four grandchildren, Stephen and Richard Ten Hagen, Mandy Horton and Robert Thompson, IV, three great-grandchildren, Gage Ten Hagen, Malarie Ten Hagen and Brooks Ten Hagen.

Ruth J Ten Hagen Obituary

January 16, 1924 - September 20, 2009