Ruth E. Handley

Ruth Bannister Evans Handley peacefully died in her home at the age of 98 on June 24, 2026, surrounded by loving family and caregivers. Her life exemplified the Greatest Generation’s selfless devotion to the service of others and a deep faith-based commitment to humility, fairness and the equal treatment of all. She was the devoted lifetime spouse of Dr. Frank G. Handley, DVM (deceased) – as able to wash dogs and handle angry cats as she was to productively guide high-level board meetings. She will be deeply missed by friends from many walks of life and remembered as someone who truly listened to others, remembered everyone’s name, and was often the last person to leave any party.

Ruth overcame traditional limitations in her public and private life where, despite having been told she could never bear children, she was the loving mother of five: Frank Gray Jr. (Rose Mary Romano), William Ronald (Patricia), Mary Anne, James Edward (Karen), and Susanna Handley Bishop (Nick), the Grandmother of ten (Jennifer, Chris, Ronnie, Eric, Roland, Drew, Grant, Caroline, Grace and Mollie), and the Great Grandmother of eighteen. Ruth was also the steadfast center of a large extended family. She and Doc. Handley provided a “home-away-from-home” for numerous young people, including foreign exchange students, where they found acceptance, kindness, and mostly gentle guidance.

Mrs. Handley believed that education “was her calling” and she taught for decades at all levels from elementary to university, often wielding a notorious red pencil that encouraged her students to do their best thinking. She was a proud, award-winning alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she led the YWCA, and she earned her Masters’ Degree at Auburn University. During her long career, Mrs. Handley served as one of the first elected female School Superintendents in Florida, an Assistant Principal at Sebring High School, and a Department Head at the South Florida State College – of which she was a founding faculty member. As a thirty-year member of the Readers Club of Sebring, she pursued her love of literature and thoughtful discussion in her private life, living her conviction that “nothing is more important than reading”.

During her lifetime of service to children and families, she, Mrs. Doris Gentry Hawthorne, and Judge Clifton M. Kelly founded the Children’s Advocacy Center of Highlands County; she worked with Sebring pastors to establish the Fairyland Daycare Center for migrant workers’ children; and she helped build the Sebring Public Library serving on its Board for many years. With a small group of local citizens, She helped found the United Way of Central Florida – Highlands County Division, and with others she helped establish the Ridge Area ARC. Her legacy includes generations of younger women and men who have committed themselves to public service in Central Florida, at the State level and in the Federal Government. Guiding them often with a well-placed question: “Are you sure you want to do it that way?”, “Who will that help?”, “What do others think?”, she helped many understand that successful leadership relies on respectful cooperation, humility and the avoidance of self-serving. Although she was always eager to highlight the role of others, her accomplishments continue to inspire.

The family deeply appreciates the tender, professional care provided by Raimunda (Piggy), Cathy, Maria, Alma, Angie and Dolores (Dee); the support of the Good Shepherd Hospice team of Amanda, Amy and Kim; Tim’s patient physical therapy; and the devoted gentle companionship provided by friend Kathy.

Arrangements: The visitation will be at First Sebring Church, 126 S. Pine St., Sebring, Fla. 33870, Monday, July 6, 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Flowers are welcome but, in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the Good Shepherd Hospice – Somers House, the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation – UF Jim Handley Endowed Chair, or the South Florida State College Ruth E. Handley Memorial Scholarship.

1. Bud & Donna Somers Hospice House
1110 Hammock Road
Sebring, FL 33872
Memo line: Ruth E. Handley Contribution

2. South Florida State College Foundation
600 W. College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825
Memo line: Ruth E. Handley Contribution

3. Florida Cattlemen’s Association Foundation
P. O. Box 421929
Kissimmee, FL 34742
Memo line: University of Florida - J. Handley Endowed Professor
Animal Science Department

Arrangements are being handled by:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
Sebring, Florida
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com
(863) 385-0125.