Lena Ruth Nease, age 87, of Sundown Drive, Gainesville, passed away Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

A private interment was held in the Memorial Park Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating her life was held Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. Reverend Paul Evans officiated.

Mrs. Nease was born on September 8, 1922, to the late John Paul and Jessie Ruth Harkey in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Lena Ruth received her bachelor’s degree in commerce from Oklahoma A&M University (now Oklahoma State University) in 1943. Lena Ruth was a young widow of World War II as her first husband, John M. Ulrich was killed in action in 1945. She then returned to the University of Oklahoma where she met her current husband and earned her MBA in 1948. She was an educator and was active in public education, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and received numerous teaching honors.

Mrs. Nease is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, James Nease of Gainesville, daughter and son-in-law, Johnna and Gary Cannon of Colquitt, daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bradley Abernathy of Gainesville, grandchildren, Kelly Cannon, James (Elizabeth) Cannon, Seth (Beth) Cannon, Ben (Suzie) Hawkins, Elizabeth Hawkins, Jim Hawkins, Charlie Hawkins, great-grandchildren, Anne Hawkins, Benny Hawkins, Sadie Abernathy, Kate Abernathy; brother and sisterin law, Merrill and Sheila Harkey of Idabel, OK.

Memorial Park Funeral Home North-Riverside Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.