Ruth Largent Metcalf

Ruth L. Metcalf, of Oviedo, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on December 8, 2022, at the age of 95. She was the second of four children born to Clarence and Mertie Largent of Longwood, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Arthur J. Metcalf. She is survived by their four children: Ron Metcalf, Gary Metcalf, Rebecca Metcalf, and Marilyn Metcalf, their spouses and her nieces, as well as eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

At her request, the memorial will be a private family ceremony.

Ruth was a career-long public school teacher, retiring from Oviedo High School. She was also a life-long learner, with a teaching degree from Florida State University, a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) from Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida), and an Educational Specialist degree from Nova Southeastern University. Early in her career she taught many courses, ranging from biology to typing, as well as coaching high school girls’ basketball. Eventually she focused on building a thriving home economics department that included Child Development, Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, and Singles’ Survival. As Chair of the Vocational Department and as a teacher often named students’ favorite, she was known for taking her Future Homemakers of America students on field trips to their annual conference to provide them with professional and travel opportunities. In her foods courses students made and shared food from their heritages as they enjoyed learning from each other’s life experiences. At a time when some teachers might have been scandalized by a student’s pregnancy, she gave a baby shower to help a very young and frightened mother begin the journey of raising a healthy child. As a committed Christian, she taught Sunday School, participated in the Women’s Missionary Union and Women’s Bible Study, led Girls’ Auxiliary (later Girls in Action) young women’s groups, and always offered both compassion and courage to young people who needed a kind and capable adult leader in their lives.

Ruth’s father was one of seven children, and family was important to her – aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, as well as her children and grandchildren. All of them had her care, attention, and support. She believed in the best in people, and even in the less lucid moments of her final years she wanted us to all do the best that we could for others.

Ruth was a professional woman in a generation when that was not the norm. She was a strong woman in quiet ways, and a sensitive soul of profound faith and commitment.

We will miss and remember her with deep love.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/oviedo for the Metcalf family.