Ruth Spence Wills

Mrs. Ruth Spence Peevy Wills, born Oct. 18, 1920, died February 3, 2007 at North Fulton Regional Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents Bascom and Oma Spence, a sister Mary Spence Bailey, first husband, Hoye Peevy and second husband Edwin Wills. She is survived by son, Col. Jack Peevy, U.S. Army (Ret.) of Alpharetta, nephew, John Bailey and his wife Shelia of Athens, various Spence Cousins, and close friend, Kathleen Monroe, from Hopewell Elementary School, of Alpharetta. She was a life long resident of Alpharetta and lived in the farmhouse where she was born in Crabapple. Her family has been in this area since the 1840’s. She was a graduate of Milton High School, attended six different colleges and universities, graduating from North Georgia College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Georgia State College with a Master’s Degree in School Administration. She was a telephone switchboard operator in Alpharetta in the 1930’s, worked in the Fulton County Tax Office, became secretary to Principal Mary Thompson at Hammond Elementary School in Sandy Springs. With Mrs. Thompson’s encouragement, she took her first college course at age 30. This began a long difficult college career, while she continued to work and keep house. She became a 3rd grade teacher at Hammond. She was later appointed Principal of Hopewell Elementary School in the north end of Fulton County, and remained there until the school was closed due to lack of students. She then became an Assistant Principal at Haynes Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta until her retirement. With the blessing of the Fulton County School Board she had the distinction of being the only classroom teacher in the school system that did not have a Bachelor’s and later, the only school principal without a Master’s. Both of those degrees she obtained late in life. She had many friends too numerous to list and was well respected in Alpharetta. She was active in the community, her church, helped coordinate the annual June Singing, and enjoyed Republican Party meetings. She was free with a smile and advice and had a full rewarding life. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Dr. Don Martin officiating. Interment Green Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations in her memory to the Alpharetta Tree Program, c/o City of Alpharetta, 2 South Main St., Alpharetta, GA 30004. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Ruth Spence Wills

October 18, 1920 - February 3, 2007