Franklin - Ruth Warren Tucker Petty, 89, passed away January 7, 2015 at Southampton Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Petty was a native of Columbia, TN, and had lived in Franklin for 57 years. She was the daughter of the late Conner James Tucker and Ruth Lamb Tucker. She was also predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Robert L. Petty, III who passed away April 9, 2004.

Mrs. Petty taught in the Franklin City Public School system for 30 years and often referred to former students as her children.

She was a longtime member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. She was a graduate of the University of Miami.

Left to cherish her memory is one son, Robert Tucker Petty of Franklin; two sisters, Martha Jane Hines of Columbia, TN and Peggy T. Pierce of Memphis, TN; one grandchild, Sarah Tucker Petty of Charlottesville; two step granddaughters, Dr. Toni Katherine Gross of Phoenix and Andrea Gross Earnhardt of Charlottesville; one great-grandson, Nathaniel Lucas Earnhardt and a daughter-in-law, Shawn Lee Bell both of Charlottesville; and two nephews and one niece.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with the Rev. Edmund Pickup officiating. A reception will be held at the Village at Woods Edge following the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Franklin City Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 96, Franklin, VA 23851 or to the Texie Camp Marks Children's Center, 700 Campbell Ave, Franklin, VA 23851 or the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 146, Franklin, VA 23851. www.wrightfuneralhome.org