Lena Ruth Wiley Harvey's Obituary
HARVEY, LENA RUTH WILEY, the second daughter of Charles Preston Wiley and Elisabeth Parilla Harris Wiley was born in Dallas on January 15, 1928. Her spirit peacefully left her earthly body in Dallas, Texas on Friday, August 30, 2013 to live forever in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Cathryn Lee Wiley Tippit. Lena Ruth attended Dallas schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. She was married to Leonard Philip Harvey at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church on July 23, 1948. Soon thereafter she was employed by Sun Oil Company in Dallas for thirty-eight years before retiring in December, 1986. Lena Ruth spent her retirement years as a volunteer worker at RHD Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Later she became an active volunteer at North Dallas Shared Ministries where on behalf of the churches of the North Dallas area she collected and provided food and other necessities of life to the elderly and needy in the community. She was a tireless worker for benefit of people who were less fortunate than she. Her labors of love and caring were in the name of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her volunteer efforts led to various places of responsibility not limited to local hospital auxiliaries but extended beyond to statewide boards and committees connected with the Texas Association of Hospital Volunteers. At an early age Lena Ruth gave her heart to Jesus Christ and was baptized at the Gaston Avenue Baptist Church. Later in her teen years she taught Sunday School and Training Union to preteen children. Upon their transfer of church membership to Royal Haven Baptist Church, Lena Ruth was the volunteer director of the children’s department of Sunday school and Training Union. Her heart’s desire was to be a missionary, but lack of funds to acquire the necessary education for appointment did not dampen her desire to work tirelessly in mission work at her church. A sharing and caring person, Lena Ruth sat at the bedside of many elderly family members and friends just to let them know they weren’t alone. It was her nature to do all she could to ease the pain and suffering of people going through hard times in their life. She amassed an army of friends who helped her collect items for use of those less fortunate. At just about any given time, the trunk and back seat of her car was full and running over with food and clothing to be distributed to the needy. Her front porch was a well recognized place for food and clothing to be picked up for benefit of the needy. She strongly felt her calling was to help others; and she answered that calling with a zeal, commitment and dedication that inspired all who knew her. Lena Ruth was born into an active Masonic family. Her father was an active Mason and was a Charter Member and Past Master of Keystone Lodge No. 1143 in Dallas. Her mother was a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and at age eighteen, Lena Ruth joined her as a member of the Order serving for sixty-seven years in various places of responsibility, especially as Chaplain of Love Field Chapter #875. Soon after she and Leonard were married, he became an active Mason. It was his local and statewide offices which provided opportunities for their witness to thousands of Masonic families in Texas and beyond. Lena Ruth is survived by her husband, Leonard, her niece Susan Tippit Dyess and her husband, Mark, their children and grandchildren, and by her niece Janet Tippit; her sister-in-law Elisa Lois McDonald, several nieces and nephews-in-law, and grandnieces and grandnephews-in-law who knew her as Auntie. A host of friends with whom she enjoyed her journey through life will miss her. Sleep well, dear one. You have earned eternal rest. A service of remembrance to celebrate the life and home going of a lady who loved her God and His children will be held at Royal Haven Baptist Church at 1 :00 PM on Saturday, September 7, 2013 followed by a reception and fellowship. The church is located at the intersection of Valley View and Marsh Lanes at 3700 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, 75244 (214.350.7000). Sincere appreciation to the Vitas Hospice Group for the care extended to Lena Ruth is expressed by the family. Special thanks to Mary, Ruby, Stephanie, Darla, and CeCe for their professional care and love. The family would like to extend a very special expression of appreciation to family friend Karen Ostrom for her caring, sharing and comforting in so many ways. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lena Ruth’s memory may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Legacy Scholarship Fund, Inc., 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219-3993, or to the charity of your choice.
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