Dr. Ruth Virginia Carey Early, age 89, of 205 Laudig Lane, died at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Wednesday, December 3, 2014. A native of Americus, she was born June 16, 1925, the daughter of the late Ottis Cortez "Dick" Carey and Emma Lougenia Brooks Knight. Dr. Early was a member of Central Baptist Church where she was a member of the Adult Sunday School Department and she taught Sunday School for fifty years. Dr. Early was a member of the ADK sorority, Gamma Kappa Fidelis Lambda and was their International Gulf Region Grand Vice President. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was the Chapter President of the Canaveral Light Chapter # 2358 in Cocoa, FL. and a member of the Dougherty County Chapter # 187 in Albany, GA. Dr. Early was a school teacher and taught first grade through college for over forty years. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 5, 2014, at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel with Dr. Bryan Myers officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 4, 2014, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel. Pallbearers will be Deacons of Central Baptist Church and Honorary Pallbearers will be the Couples Class Adult 6 Department. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Central Baptist Church, 190 Upper River Rd., Americus, GA 31709. Survivors include her husband of 69 years, William R. Early of Americus; a daughter, Billie Ruth Lomonaco of Deltona, FL.; two grandchildren, Shannon Miller and Mike Accardi; five great grandchildren, Brandon Miller, Matthew Miller, Ashleigh Miller, Donovan Accardi and Lorna Accardi; and eleven first cousins and their families. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Tiffany Ruth Accardi and Joshua Accardi. Cemetery: Oak Grove Cemetery