Ruth Corey George

Ruth Corey George, 105, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away last Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

She was born to the late Sam and Mary Corey on July 11, 1915 and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1932. Ruth went on to attend a business school where she learned the necessary skills to work in an insurance agency.

Ruth Corey was married to Joe George on October 27, 1940 and they lived in Indianapolis until his death in 1979.

She is survived by four sons, David, Stephen, Carl, and Ken. In addition, she loved 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Ruth survived cancer three times (the first at the age of 63), the first world-wide pandemic, the first world war, the Great Depression, the second world war, and every war after that. She saw 18 U.S. presidents serve the country and witnessed every modern electrical appliance ever produced. She also saw the second pandemic in the United States.

She marveled at the digital age and at 96 asked one of her sons to get her a computer. She very much wanted to know how cell phones work, even though she didn’t understand the concept. But, she could easily lose track of time while looking at pictures on a cell phone.

When she was 12 years old, Ruth worked for her uncle in his corner grocery store. She labored six days a week, 10 hours a day, and earned $8 a week. Her work ethic all her life was unmatched by anyone who knew her.

Ruth partnered with her husband, Joe, in many family owned businesses until his retirement in 1978.. She was the definition of the woman beside the man.

As a young girl, Ruth loved to write poetry and at 102, the poems she had written over a lifetime were published in a collection called, Of Faith and Family, Reflections by Ruth Corey George. It was a bestseller among family members.

Ruth lived for her family and would tell anyone within earshot about her four boys. Her teachings and moral values were incomparable. She was a woman whose faith was the cornerstone and guiding light in her life and that deep seated belief never wavered or changed. Her kind attitude towards everyone is legendary.

Ruth was 93 when she was asked by one of her grandsons to write about her spirit during her struggles with cancer.

She wrote about how she felt when she first heard the doctor’s prognosis and his recommended treatment. The doctor had also told her that had she waited another two months, it would have been too late for her.

She said, If I can help one person, I will have done a lot. She went on to write: Someday (not in my lifetime), this treacherous disease will be conquered. God will give us the knowledge, strength and wisdom that are needed. We all know what early detection is…..it’s the key to the door of survival. Get your mammogram today. Don’t say tomorrow as tomorrow may be too late.

That loving, caring, and thoughtful warning to women she had yet to meet was the essence of the late Ruth Corey George.

Ruth was a life-long member of St. George Orthodox Church in Fishers. May her memory be eternal.

The funeral will be this Saturday and because of CoVid-19 restrictions is by invitation only. The family will have a celebration of life in the summer of 2021 after Covid is no longer a threat.

Memorial contributions may be made to St, George Christian Orthodox Church building fund.
10748 E. 116th Street, Fishers, Indiana 46037


Livestream link for the service at St. George at noon on Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUygV3EBEnfHBLRoa3R3lNw