LAREDO, Texas - Carol May Patterson Ruiter, 90, formerly of Cortland, died Saturday morning, Feb. 25, 2012, at her daughter's home in Laredo.
She was born Aug. 8, 1921, in Greig, N.Y., the daughter of the late Sterlyn O. Patterson and the late Faith Norton Patterson.
Carol had been a member of the Cortland Trinity Baptist Church and the Grace Bible Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. She also served as a 4-H leader in Cortland for many years.
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Ruiter
Carol received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from the Plattsburg State Teachers College in Plattsburg, N.Y. She had worked as a school teacher with the Kendall Central School System in New York for three years and in Trumbull County, retiring from the Fowler-Vienna School District in 1979 after a total of 26 years.
After her retirement, Carol and her husband volunteered their services at the Piedmont Baptist College in North Carolina.
Her husband, Jonathan B. Ruiter, whom she married on July 25, 1942, preceded her in death on May 22, 1997.
Carol is survived by a daughter, Faith "Fay" Ellen Mainhart of Laredo; two sons, David Eugene Ruiter of Warren and Adelbert George Ruiter of McDonald; and two brothers, Floyd W. Patterson of Williamsfield and Alan "Kent" Patterson of Glenfield, N.Y. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Stacey R. Potts of San Antonio, and Charity J. Ruiter and Jesse D. Ruiter of Rocky Mount, N.C.; and four great-grandchildren, Conner and Cullen Potts of San Antonio, Bella Harmony and Davis of Rocky Mount, and Marlee Renee Carter Ruiter of Niles.
Carol was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard Eugene Patterson, Paul A. Patterson and Hugh L. Patterson.
The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel in Cortland. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Pastor Devy Nanlohy officiating.
Burial will be in the Crown Hill Burial Park, Vienna.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, 1220 N. Malinche Ave., Laredo, Texas 78043 or online at www.rutherbcowl.com.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at shaferwinanschapel.com.
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