Ruth Ann Popiel

Ruth Ann Popiel (nee Waite), age 71 of Matthews, NC, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 17, 2022, at her home. Ruth courageously fought a 2-year battle with cancer. She was born October 6, 1950, in Columbus, OH. Ruth was the second of seven children born to Albert J (Jim) Waite and Marvine Waite (Dawson). Growing up, Ruth lived in Chillicothe, where she attended St. Peters Elementary school, Amherst where she attended Amherst St Joseph Elementary School and Lorain where she graduated from St. Mary High School in 1968. She and her children moved to the Charlotte, NC, area in the early 1980s. Ruth retired from the paper manufacturing industry as a customer liaison for many years. While living in Lorain, Ruth worked at The Lorain Journal, Sylvesters Pharmacy, and Dennys Place. Ruth is remembered for her loving and caring dedication to her children, a proud grandmother, a loyal friend, and a dear sister to her six siblings, who were all together for a family reunion in Charlotte over the Memorial Day Holiday. Ruth was known for her humility, especially in areas where she excelled; she was a gifted art and craft creator, a fantastic designer, and a fabulous home cook/baker baking and designing many amazingly decorated birthday cakes. Her homemade meals were the best. In addition, Ruth had a sense of humor that was contagious. She loved to laugh and could bring joy to any space with her laugh. She was adored and cherished by all who had the pleasure to know her. She will be deeply missed by her children, Aaron Drage, Becky (Dale) Franklin, and Rachel Powell. Her seven grandchildren, Anna Drage, Avery Drage, Jonathan (Brandy) Graham, Austin Graham, Jacob and Abigail Franklin, Jaxon Powell., and five great-grandchildren, (Miss) Jade Franklin, Oliver, Waylon, Charlotte, and Wyatt Graham. Her siblings, Kathy (Dave) Kobasic of Brunswick, OH. David (Jeanne) Waite of Doylestown, PA; Dan (Lee) Waite of Charlotte, NC; Don ( Patrice) Waite of Cudjoe Key, FL and Dennis (Pam) Waite of Lorain, OH. And all of her nieces and nephews who called her Auntie. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Marvine (nee Dawson) Waite, and her brother, Doug Waite. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to: Novant Hospice, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204. At her request, Ruth will be cremated and interned during A Celebration Of Life Service in Charlotte on a date closer to her birthday in October. Cremation and burial service is being arranged by Tallent Funeral Service. Online condolences at www.tallentfuneralservice.com