Apr 25, 2025

Uniontown

Ruth “Sis” Williams, 94, passed away peacefully Monday, April 21, 2025, in Monarch Meadow Personal Care Home in Uniontown.

Born in 1930 to Ccratious and Sarah Belle Hughes, she was preceded in death by her husband, H. Glenn Williams; brother, J.C. “James” Hughes and wife Cappie; sister-in- law, Shirley Hughes; half-brother and sister, Arthur and Catherine Hughes; her almost daughter, Donna Thompson Hlavacek; and son- in-law, Thomas Lonce.

Ruth had a love of music and performing from an early age. She played piano with her brother, J.C. on the guitar at the Ivory Ballroom in Uniontown on WMBS/WMMN/WWVA radio stations. She attended South Union High School, Class of 1948, where she sang in a group called The Trio and loved to play the boogie woogie on the piano for her classmates. In later years she performed with the group The Keytwisters. As a young girl she attended Tiny Locke School of Dance and was a member of Carter’s Kiddie Club.

Baptized at 3rd Presbyterian Church, she dedicated herself to her faith and her community. She attended Jacob’s Lutheran Church in Masontown and was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Uniontown, where she played the piano for children’s church, sang in the Chancel Choir and ushered.

She was a lifelong member of Menallen Grange #1091, participating in the degree team, Pennsylvania State Grange, Pomona Grange and was the first Matron of Menallen Junior Grange.

She was a long distance operator for the Bell Telephone Co., member of the Laurel Lanes Bowling Team, volunteer at the Uniontown Hospital and the Variety Store at the Uniontown Senior Citizens Center and played the piano at Monarch Meadow. She was the reigning Queen of the Krewe of Boogie Woogie in Louisiana.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, baking, bowling and playing the piano. Known for her “boogie woogie” style of piano playing, her sunny disposition, her helping hands and love of music, Ruth was the last of her generation.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Glenna Lonce of Smithfield; Hope Hughes-Legendre and husband Ronnie of Uniontown, who she thought of as a son and who shared her love of music, often playing along with her on the guitar; and Jane Stone of Uniontown; grandson, Daniel W. Hixson and fiancee Michelle; granddaughter, Olivia Stone; her almost daughters, Debra Valari Hill, Diana Benoit, Dana Ross, Diann Turner Scott; her almost son, Floyd “Buster” Gladman II; high school chum, Ted Durany; dear friends, Dave and Kelly Sohyda and children David and Chelsea, Barry and Retta Babin, John and Aimee Gautreaux, Norma Sherlock, Al Miscovich, Herb Weimer; her beloved Martin cousins; nieces and nephews, Robert Williams, Rick Williams and wife Michelle and children Nick and Logan, Janice Williams Hayden, Delia Hughes Riebe and husband Gregg and daughter Jessica, and Lydia M. Hughes.

Visitation for friends and family to be held in the SHELL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 164 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, from 1 until the time of the service at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, with the Rev. Kevin Anderson officiating. Interment at Lafayette Memorial Park will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ruth Hughes Music and Arts Fund, P.O. Box 367, Uledi, PA 15484; or Christ Chapel Chalk Hill Restoration Fund, c/o St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, N. Gallatin Avenue, Uniontown, PA 15401.

A special thanks to the staff and management of Monarch Meadow, OSPTA, Preferred Primary Care Physicians, Dr. Iannamorelli, Darlene and staff, Jacob’s Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Outreach Committee and Pastor Kevin Anderson for your loving care and concern.