DATE: Friday, March 7, 1997                 TAG: 9703070596

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   40 lines

RUTH B. KEE

On March 4, 1997, God picked a beautiful rose from his garden and called Ruth ``Olivia'' Barham Kee to her eternal rest. She died at Chesapeake General Hospital, Chesapeake, after a brief illness. Ruth was born on July 15, 1931, to the late Dewey and Willie Barham. She received her early education in the Southampton County, Va., Public Schools. She continued her education at Norfolk State University, receiving a B.S. degree in elementary education. She received her master's degree in education from Old Dominion University.

Ruth was employed by the Chesapeake Public School System for more than 29 years as a classroom teacher, an assistant principal and principal. Most of her years with the school system was spent at Norfolk Highlands Primary School. She was the principal at Norfolk Highlands Primary School at the time of her death.

A native of Newsoms, Va., Ruth joined Third Baptist Church at an early age and continued faithfully as a member until her death. She served on the Jordan Floral Club and other church committees. She was a member of various professional and civic organizations, including the Chesapeake Education Association, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Virginia Education Association and the National Education Reading Council of Chesapeake, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Norfolk-Virginia Beach Chapter of Continental Societies Inc.

Ruth was predeceased by her only child, Dr. Francine Kee Peterson. Left to cherish happy memories of her are two grandsons, James A. Peterson II and Corey R. Peterson; a son-in-law, James A. Peterson, all of Virginia Beach; two sisters, Clara B. Urquhart of Norfolk, Jeannette B. Horne of Hampton; a brother-in-law, Keith Horne of Hampton; two aunts, Mrs. Jennie Stephenson and Jesse Mae Barham, both of Como, N.C.; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Third Baptist Church, Portsmouth, by the Rev. Joe B. Flemmings. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. Fisher Funeral Home is handling arrangements. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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