Ruth Elizabeth Kolb

Ruth Elizabeth Kolb, 87, of Valdosta died Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at The Orchard. She was born on January 12, 1934, in Metuchen, New Jersey to the late Donald Bryant Galusha and Grace Nellie Duffield Galusha. Ruth graduated from Metuchen High School where she was a cheerleader. After graduation, she married her sweetheart Lawrence Richard Kolb and had one daughter Debbie and one son, Larry Jr.
Ruthie was a homemaker and occasionally worked as a substitute teacher at her children’s schools. She also worked part time for American Greeting Cards and spent countless hours in her card section at various local stores around Valdosta, but mainly Belk’s in the Valdosta Mall.
Ruthie was from a family of 8. She is preceded in death by her sister Barbara Homan, Dorothy Booth Sanchez, Donna Kushmick and brother Donald Galusha. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 64 years, Lawrence Richard Kolb, Sr. of Valdosta, sister Mary Murk of Jacksonville FL, brothers David Galusha of Weatherford Texas, and Daniel Galusha of Wilmington, NC, brother and sister-in-law John and Paulette Kolb of Edison NJ, close cousins Karen Merrell (Dale) of Jacksonville FL and their two sons Ryan and Brennan.
She is survived by her son Lawrence Richard Kolb Jr. (Faith) of Hahira GA and her daughter Debra Kolb Smith of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, seven grandchildren, Ashey Smith Sanditen (Britt), Michael Smith (Karen), Kristen Smith, Larianne Kolb Walters (Thomas), Marlie Kolb, Gracie Kolb, Natalie Kolb, one great grandson Finley Walters.

Ruthie was a member of the Azalea City Garden Club, Valdosta Wymodausis Women’s Club, and South Georgia Classic Car Club. Ruthie was an avid Girl Scout Leader and Den Mother.

She loved to sing, take pictures and make scrapbooks. She loved her grandchildren and was given the name Ging. She also loved to attend car shows with her husband and ride in his 1966 Convertible Red Mustang.

Always was beautifully dressed and loved wearing her pearls.

Ruthie chose to be cremated without service. The family will have a private memorial service at a later date and plan to spread her ashes at various places she enjoyed visiting at her request.

Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home