Ruth Etherton, 99, of Swannanoa, went to be with Jesus on April 17, 2017. She was born June 29, 1917 in Madison County, but spent most of her life in Swannanoa. Ruth worked at Beacon Manufacturing for many years, and she was a charter member of Swannanoa Church of God. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Ica Gowan; husband, Guy A. Etherton; four sisters, Lema Davis of Black Mountain, Eloise Gowan of Richmond, VA, Inez Nothey of Baltimore, MD, and Diora Lawson of Hot Springs. Ruth is survived by Linda McIntosh (Ralph) of Lawrenceville, GA; Tere Johnson (Rick) and Royce of Lawrenceville, GA; Nell Harkleroad of Charlotte and Beulah Presnell of Swannanoa. A private burial was held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.