Blanche Ross

Blanche LaMont Ross , 94, of Shaft, departed this life for her eternal life with the Lord on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Born January 18, 1919, in Midlothian, MD, she was the daughter of the late Howard "Jake" Skidmore Sr. and Elvira Davis skidmore. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Lewis Webster Ross; a sister, JoAnn Green; brother in law, Earl Green; brother, Harvey Skidmore; sister-in law, Isabell Skidmore; brother, Darwood Skidmore;  daughter, Donna Ross House Coffman; sons-in-law, J. David House and Wayne Rice; and great-grandson, Corey Andrew House.

LaMont  was a loving lady who lived her faith in a meaningful way.   She loved her Savior and her church family.  She was a member of  Trinity Assembly of God, Midlothian.  She worked on the NYA, a youth work program during the depression. During WWII she worked in an ammunitions plant in Elkton, Maryland and later at the Celanese Fibres Plant and at GC Murphy's.  In reading our mother's writings she shared, "One beautiful day in August, 1956, Lewis came into Murphy's Store and asked me to go to a revival service in Westernport, which began a two month courtship, that resulted in our wedding on October 28, 1956."   LaMont and Lewis began every day with Bible reading.  She was a generous giver regularly supporting several ministries and missionaries.  She enjoyed and excelled at gardening, canning, cooking, baking, quilting and she loved to travel.  Though never wealthy by earthly standards, she was always helping her family, never missing a birthday or Christmas gift. Her gift of sharing meals with family and visitors brought her much joy.  Above all, her most precious gift was her unconditional love.  She enjoyed her life as a devoted housewife, mother, and grandmother.  She thanked God for all His blessings and His peace and goodness throughout the years.

LaMont is survived by her children, RuthAnn Davis and partner Tom McElwee, of Frisco, TX; Lewis Webster Ross Jr. and wife Marsue Hicks Ross, of Hancock; Bonnie Ross Rice; Howard Dale Ross and wife Debbie Miller Ross, of Frostburg; son-in-law, Ronald Coffman, of Winston-Salem, NC.

She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Pamela House Landis and husband Michael, of Winston-Salem, NC; Janice House and husband Robert Radcliffe; of Grantsville;  Dawn House Prince and husband Jimmy, of East Bend, NC; K. Jeffrey Donald and wife Sheri, of Manassas, VA; Tonya Donald LaBarbera and husband Jack, of Frisco, TX;  Robert Johnson and wife Lisa, of Hancock;  Louann Ross Scott and special friend Kevin Spruill, of Germantown;  Lewis Ross III, of Hancock; Jodie Ross and special friend Josh Wertz, of Hancock; Amy Rice and special friend, Keith Emerick, of Frostburg; Shawn Rice and wife Tammy of Midland; Sgt. Jared Ross and wife Genette, Grafenwohr, Germany; Micah Ross, of Frostburg; and Daniel Ross and fiance Erin Moulden, of Frostburg.

Also surviving are 16 great-grandchildren, J. David Landis, Robert Landis, Kendra House Caudle, Dylan Beams, Denton Beams, Emma Donald, Sarah Donald, Tyler Johnson, Danielle Johnson, Kyla Scott, Megan Rice, Hunter Rice, Jelann Ross, Julianna Ross, Josiah Ross and Mason Ross; and 9 great-great grandchildren Owen and Khloe Rice , Alexis Johnson, Brady and Brantley Johnson, Trenten, Landen, Mackaylyn and Jordan Gough.

The family would like to especially thank in-home caregivers Bonita Skidmore, Judy Hughes, Gwen Winters, and Pannell Bishop for their loving devotion to mom.  In addition, we would like to thank the loving and nurturing staff of Frostburg Village, as well as caring and watchful neighbors in Shaft.