DELBARTON, W.Va. — Ruth Lowe Chafin, who taught at and gave much of her life to Delbarton Elementary School for 39 years, passed away peacefully holding the hand of her son, Jimmy Lowe Chafin, on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in Appalachian Regional Hospital. Along with her loving family, she leaves behind hundreds of students on whose lives she has left her indelible mark.

Ruth, who was preceded in death several years ago by her identical twin sister, Ruby J. Smith, is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, James B. Chafin, and her son, James Lowe Chafin, of Huntington. In addition, she is survived by her brother, Thomas Argyle Lowe of Satellite Beach, Fla.

Having helped her sister in rearing her children after Ruby became a young widow, Ruth served as a second mom for her nephews, Will M. Smith and Michael M. Smith, both of Delbarton, and her niece, Mitzi Smith Farley of Charleston, S.C. As a result, she became a third grandmother to Jessie Farley Evans, daughter of Ralph and Mitzi Farley. On Saturday, June 9, she became the honorary great-grandmother of Harper Michele Evans, the daughter of Cory and Jessie Evans of Charleston, S.C. She was filled with joy to be able to speak with the new parents immediately after Harper’s birth. Additionally, she is survived by two other nephews and their wives: Tom and Barbara Ruth Lowe of Satellite Beach and Mark and Ginny Lowe of Republic, Mo.

Believing in Jesus Christ as her Savior, Ruth spent much time during her extended illness in praying, studying the Bible, and talking about God’s love and care with her family. She was steadfast in her faith, never wavering during her times of suffering.

An extremely private person, Ruth did not wish to have a wake or a funeral after she departed this life. Instead, she wanted her friends and family to remember the important things she stood for and to look back upon her memory with a smile. Therefore, to honor Ruth’s wishes, the family will grieve privately.

In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family has asked that friends and loved ones donate to a fund for children’s playground equipment for Regional Christian School, where her niece, Mitzi, taught for several years. The address is as follows: Regional Church of God, P.O. Box 236, Delbarton, WV 25670. Because of Ruth’s lifelong devotion to children, the family has chosen to honor her memory in this way.

Online condolences can be made at www.chafinfuneralhome.com

Chafin Funeral Home of Delbarton is serving the Chafin Family.