Ruth Perdue

Ruth Collins Pendleton (Taylor) Perdue, born December 29, 1926 in Avon Park, Florida to Sanford “Sam” Julian and Mayme Lou Collins (Greene) Pendleton passed away Monday, March 13, 2023.  Ruth was an honor graduate of Avon Park High School class of 1944.  During her time there, she played the clarinet and saxophone in the band and sang in the Glee Club.  After graduating, she attended Stetson University, Bethany College in WV and University of Sioux Falls, SD earning a bachelor’s degree in music and English.  She also attended the University of Pittsburgh and Barry University earning a master’s degree in English.  She continued her education at Florida Southern and University of Miami.  Ruth was of the Baptist faith and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Avon Park in 1937. In 1946 Ruth married Elmer “Al” Taylor who had been in the Air Force.  They completed college together and after a graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, they went to Miami where he worked in management at Burdines Department Store.  They both directed church choirs and sang in the Miami area until Al died in 1979.  Ruth was a teacher of music and English in Miami and Miami Beach for 28 years as well as the very enjoyable years she spent teaching in her hometown of Avon Park from 1953-1956.  In 1983 Ruth met James Perdue, who had been her high school and college sweetheart.  They married and lived in Silver Springs, Maryland until he retired. They then had happy years traveling and living in Vero Beach until James died in 2012.  Ruth was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta, Kappa, American Association of University Women, Miami-Dade Retired Teachers Association, and the Florida Retired Teachers.  She was the Director of the adult and children’s choirs in churches in Miami and volunteered in nursing homes in Maryland.  Ruth joined the Community Church in Vero Beach in 1990 and was deacon, president of Women’s Fellowship and served on many committees.  Ruth is survived by her Step-Son – Robert Perdue of New York, NY; Step-daughter – Katherine Perdue Hilton of Annapolis, MD; Sister-in-law – Gig Bikacsan; Cousin – Laura Buikema; numerous Nieces and Nephews.  She is preceded in death by her Parents, Brothers – J.L. Greene, Julian, and Earl Pendleton; Sisters – Tommy Lou Greene Stepp, Florence Pendleton Shields, and Ruby Pendleton Turner.  Graveside services will be held Monday, March 20, 2023 at 3:00pm at Bougainvillea Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
111 E. Circle St.
Avon Park, FL  33825
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com