ASHLAND, Ky. — Bernice “Ruth” Qualls, 77, died at Kings Daughters’ Medical Center on May 7, 2009 after an extended illness. She was born Nov. 18, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Jake and Stella Mae (Conley) Mabery. She was preceded in death by her sister, Louise Hitchcock and her brothers, Emerson Ray Mabery and Jake “Buddy” Mabery, all three of Coal Grove.
She was a Christian and member of Rose Hill Baptist Church for 40 years. She attended Dawson-Bryant School in Coal Grove and was employed at the Wilson Leather Co. for three years. She and her husband purchased and operated the Qualls Grocery Store on Eighth Street for 22 years. After leaving the store, she and her husband began purchasing and renovating homes and apartment buildings, to rent or sale and did so for many years.
Surviving her are her husband of 60 years, Daniel Joseph Qualls; two sons, Jay (Patricia) Qualls, grandchildren, Jason (Jessica) Qualls, and Kathy Qualls; and Dean Allen (Paula) Qualls, grandchildren, D.J. Qualls, Colleen (Donald) Purcell; great grandchild, Liam Dean and Dustin (Cortney) Qualls; two great grandchildren, Delaney Addison and Grayson Coel; and a sister, Wilma Price.
Funeral services will be held at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel on Monday at 1 p.m. with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral will be officiated by Reverend Jim Yates and Reverend Charles Stewart.
Burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com