Ruth Elder-Pochron

Ruth Irene Elder-Pochron, 85, passed away February 17, 2024 in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  She was born April 4, 1938 in Frederick, Maryland to the late James Lincoln Schultz and Goldie Pearl Baugher.  Ruth obtained a Bachelor’s Degree of Youth Ministry from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO (also known as Mission University).  This self- taught woman went to beauty school, was a CNA in the healthcare field, drove a school bus for many years, was a team mom and worked in the youth ministry for a Baptist parish when the children were growing up.   Ruth was also Co-owner and bookkeeper for Welcome Aboard Travel Agency for over 40 years.

Ruth loved traveling the world and the excursions she went on as a travel agent.  She loved knitting in her earlier years and spent many hours gardening and composting.   She became a collector, spent time doing Baptist ministry work and was a lover of all seafood.  She loved her Maryland Crab and her Florida oysters.

In addition to her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by her 2^nd husband, James Pochron; 1^st husband, Herschel Lee Elder (“Jr.”); granddaughter, Christina Elder; sisters Anna Louise Keith, Mary Ellen Creager, Faye Alberta Keiser, Edna Pearl Baer, Jean Helen Villalva; brothers, James Lincoln Schultz, Charles Henry Schultz and William Leroy Schultz.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Kathy Darla O’Connor of Hagerstown, MD; Sons, Hershel Lee (“Joe”) Elder III of Colonial Beach, VA, Alan Dale Elder of Gulf Breeze, FL, David Wayne (“Wink”) Elder of Waynesboro, PA and Mark Anthony (“Tony”) Elder of Fredericksburg, VA.  She was the mother of 4 sons, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

The family will hold a private celebration of life in the springtime.  In lieu of flowers the family requests to please consider a memorial donation to the organization Ruth was very passionate about in her memory; Tunnels to Towers, t2t.org.  You may express condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.roselawn-fh.com.