Ruth Richards Stirling, 90, of St. Inigoes, MD, formerly of Fort Washington, MD died October 1, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.

Born November 23, 1917 in Lawndale, North Carolina she was the daughter of the late William Richards and Mary Wallace Richards. Mrs. Stirling was predeceased by her two husbands: William H. " Ned " Williams of Lawndale, NC in 1957 and James Stirling of Fort Washington, MD in 1989.

Mrs. Stirling is survived by three sons; James Stirling and his wife Barbara of St. Inigoes, MD, Allen Stirling and his wife Linda of Chesapeake Beach, MD and Andrew Stirling of Mechanicsville, MD. Also survived by four grandchildren: Laura Stirling of Auburn, AL, LTJG Mark Stirling, U.S. Navy, Robert Stirling and James Stirling both of Mechanicsville, MD and great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by one sister Irene Martin and three brothers Garland Richards, Thomas Richards and Bill Richards.

Family will received friends on Monday, October 6, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the Stamey Funeral Home, 846 E Stagecoach Trail, Fallston, NC 28042. A Funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Fallston Baptist Church, Fallston, NC. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Shelby, NC.

Local Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.