Ruth Abigail Slonecker

Ruth Abigail Robles was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on Dec 8, 1923 to the late Mr. Juan Robles & Regina Rios Robles. She was the youngest of 11 children and the last survivor of her siblings. Her father was the first Protestant minister in Puerto Rico and also worked for the US government as a revenuer during Prohibition. Her mother was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Eston Slonecker. Ruth grew up in Fajardo, where her grandparents had a sugarcane plantation. She went to nursing school when she was 17 years old and met her future husband while she was in nursing school. He was a sailor in the US Navy on the USS Yorktown, and he was stationed in Puerto Rico where they met. She was a member of the Nurse Cadet Corps during World War II. They were a group of volunteers that helped during the war. She married Lloyd Eston Slonecker June 1, 1945 in Marysville, KS at his parents' home. She worked as a nurse and homemaker. She was a registered nurse for 44 years. While Lloyd was deployed, she took care of the family life while he was away. In 1969, they moved to Jacksonville, FL and she lived there with Lloyd until his death on June 17, 2011. Lloyd and Ruth had four children, Ronald Slonecker (Shirley), Mike Slonecker (Patty), Lois Casey (Dennis), and Ina Bohannon (the late Lynn Bohannon). The family started in Puerto Rico, then moved to the US and lived in Virginia, Florida, and Maine, wherever Lloyd was stationed. Ruth is survived by 8 grandchildren, Stephanie Casey, Ginny Burns (Ray), Brian Casey (Suzy), Katie McCay (Brent), Brendan Casey, Kelly Slonecker, Rachel Bohannon, and Michael Slonecker. She also is survived by 5 great-grandchildren, Blaine & Thane Burns, Dylan & Logan Casey, and Alyssa McCay. Ruth was a very energetic and social lady. She loved church, loved to talk, and loved shopping for bargains, as Lloyd held her purse. She made beautiful crocheted items and lacework, and also made yummy granola for her grand-kids. After that time, Ruth moved to Viola, TN to live with her daughter, Lois and her family. During these times, Ruth would spend her days with her family and have fun outings, such as hiking with her grandson, Brian, and his family. Ruth loved the babies, she would always smile and laugh when she would see them and try to get them to come to her. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a service to be held at 5:00 p.m. in High's Parlor. Coy Hathcock will officiate. Burial will be in the Jacksonville (Florida) National Cemetery.