Helen Kight

Helen Ruth (Harvey) Kight passed away peacefully at BrightView Senior Living, Severna Park, MD on August 29th, 2020 with daughter Sally and son-in-law Rich by her bedside.

Born in 1931 in Greenville, WV, Ruth grew up on a farm, graduated early from a small country high school, and completed a bachelor’s degree in Library Science at Concord College by age 18. It was at Concord that she met Harry Kight, a returning GI and music major from Westernport, MD. They married at Centerville Presbyterian Church on August 12, 1950, moved to White Sulphur Springs where Harry was a band director for two years, then settled in the Hagerstown, MD area where they both taught and raised a family.

Ruth spent most of her teaching career as librarian at E. Russell Hicks Middle School. After retiring, she and Harry built a home at Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Maryland – a gathering place beloved by children, grandchildren, friends, and family. They also enjoyed spending the winter months in Venice, FL. In 2013, they moved to BrightView Independent Living in Severna Park, MD where they enjoyed living near children and grandchildren.

Despite an illness that left her increasingly incapacitated, Ruth remained kind and gracious, qualities that perfectly described her lifelong. She was a wonderful homemaker, and a supportive and loving wife and mother. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, playing bridge and golf, hosting family dinners, spending time in Venice, FL, and traveling with Harry and friends. Ruth took enormous pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

For decades, Ruth and Harry were active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Funkstown, MD, and were later among the founding members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Deep Creek Lake, MD. Ruth took great satisfaction in volunteering regularly at Christian Crossings in Oakland, MD.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Harry Edward Kight, parents Hobart and Pansy Harvey, brothers John Harvey and Hobart Harvey, and sister Mary Lou Dickenson.

Left to fondly remember her are her sister Joyce Perry with whom she was especially close, daughters Kellan (Randy) Sarles of Knoxville, TN, Sally (Richard) Gallena of Millersville, MD, and son Ed (Denise McDougall) Kight of Edgewood, MD. Survivors also include grandchildren Ben Sarles, Andy (Kelsey) Sarles, Rich Gallena, Evan Gallena, Rachel Gallena, David McDougall, and Shawn McDougall, and many nephews and nieces. Had she been well enough, Ruth would have adored her four great-grandchildren: Reed Sarles, Ali Sarles, Addison McDougall, and Avery McDougall.

A memorial service for Ruth Kight will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 2, at C&S Fredlock Funeral Home, Oakland, Maryland, with Rev. Michael Wright officiating. Visitors may call one hour before the service. Face coverings are required and social distancing must be maintained. If you or a member of your family feel ill, please stay home and visit with the family at a later date.The service may also be viewed live at https://www.facebook.com/C-S-Fredlock-Funeral-Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake or to Alzheimer’s Disease Research/brightfocus.org.