Alma Ruth Pruett Schrader

Alma Ruth Pruett Schrader, 93, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, September 3, 2021. She was born, reared and educated in Chattanooga and moved to Cleveland in 1951 as the bride of Elbert Thomas Schrader.

She was born July 26, 1928 into an active Baptist pastor’s home. She was the youngest, and now the last of seven siblings of this union. Having been born into the servant’s role style of family, and in the depression years, she learned early on the happiness derived in serving others, thus her life has been lived in trying to live out the Christian approach to JOY—Jesus first, others second, yourself last, an incentive to love and live for and in Christ and in admonishing others to do likewise.

Her first employment, in 1948, was with the Ocoee Baptist Association office in Chattanooga, as their first full-time, paid secretary. Later the Association was reorganized, and she then was named as the first secretary for Hamilton County Baptists.

As an active member of First Baptist Church for 69 years she has served in various areas of leadership including church secretary. She, along with her husband served 34 years as volunteer leaders in the senior adult ministry at First Baptist Church, also serving in leadership in the Bradley Baptist Association. She was a member of several civic groups. 

A loving and unselfish person, she enjoyed her time with the aged, sick, and downcast and through her card service reached out to many. She had great pride in her family and enjoyed cheering them on to attain their goals in life. Time spent with them was very special, whether it be camping, traveling to 49 states and some locations outside the USA, or sharing multiple vacation sites, especially after the four grandsons arrived.

She had only recently retired as a part-time assistant of more than 35 years in the offices of Dr. W. F. Peterson and Dr. Blake Peterson, O.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Allie Arthur and Ethel Bryan Pruett; two sisters; four brothers; son-in-law David G. Waldrupe; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends; and a loving sister-in-love, Evaline Schrader Millsap.

Survivors include her faithful, devoted husband of 69 years, Elbert Thomas Schrader; son, Jere Thomas (Sharon) Schrader of Ohio; daughter, Janna Ruth Schrader Waldrupe of Knoxville; four very special grandsons: Bryan Thomas (Sarah) Schrader and Jeremy Joseph Schrader, all of Ohio, Thomas Raymond (Abi) Waldrupe of North Carolina and Aaron David Waldrupe of Knoxville;  one great-granddaughter, Emmeline “Emme” Grace Schrader of  Ohio; sister-in-love Dolly Pruett of Nashville;  and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with the Reverend Tom Wickes officiating.

Her family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021 at Chattanooga National Cemetery with the Reverend Tom Wickes officiating.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Schrader family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.