Sarah Sewell

Sarah Ruth Alexander Sewell, age 99, died at her home on December 25, 2015 in Franklin, Tennessee. Ruth Sewell, a lifelong resident of Williamson County, was born on April 30, 1916, in Bethesda, Tennessee to Alvin Blythe Alexander and Willie Hatcher Alexander. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ewell Sewell (November 5, 1999) and her brother, William Hatcher Alexander (June 20, 2008). She attended Bethesda High School. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State Teachers College (now Middle Tennessee State University) in 1937, and served as President of the Student Council. She married Robert E. Sewell on October 5, 1940. She taught elementary school in Williamson County. After the war, the Sewells settled in Franklin on Jennings Street. Ruth and Bob founded Sewell Electric Company in 1945 on Columbia Avenue in Franklin and they ran the business as a joint endeavor, Ruth working at the store beside her husband to make it a success. As the business grew, they moved it to Fourth Avenue South. In 1961, they formed WFLT, the first FM radio station in Williamson County. They merged the station with WIZO-AM in 1968. On October 14, 1968, fire destroyed Sewell Electric. The store was rebuilt at 210 East Main St. in Franklin. In 1982, it was sold to long-time employees Millard Jefferson and Kelton Warren. Ruth continued to work at the company for several years until her retirement. Mrs. Sewell was a spunky lady with scores of friends who adored her. She is best remembered for her optimistic outlook, friendliness, thoughtfulness, devotion to family and lifelong friends. She was never one to mention aches and pains. She was an avid sports fan, especially Duke basketball. Ruth mowed her own lawn up into her early nineties and knew everyone in Franklin, or so it seemed. In their later years, Ruth and her husband went fishing each Wednesday whenever possible. They travelled all over the world and had a long and fulfilling life together. Ruth Sewell is survived by her son, Dr. Robert Alvin (Harriet) Sewell; her daughter, Barbara Anne Sewell (Dr. David) Jones; four grandchildren, Eleanor Jones Murray (Dan) of Mill Valley, CA., Dr. Nathan Alexander Sewell (Leigh) of Richmond, VA., Martin Scott Jones (Juliet) of Carbondale, CO., and Dr. Malcolm Lewis Sewell (Frances) of Nashville. Her great grandchildren include Shade Alexander and Henry McEvoy Murray, Robert Samuel and Perrin Louise Jones, Charles Malcolm and Frederick Alexander Sewell and Olivia Crosby and Ruby James Sewell. The family wishes to express their appreciation to her devoted caregivers including Neicey Mitchell, Heather Panner, Kimberly Shaw, Seanna Parker, and April Brown. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 3:00PM at Franklin First United Methodist Church Historic Sanctuary, 148 5th Ave. South, Franklin, TN. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Franklin First United Methodist Church. WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 615-794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com

Visitation Details

Monday, December 28th, 2015 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Franklin First United Methodist Church

Service Information

Monday, December 28th, 2015 3:00pm, Franklin First United Methodist Church

Interment Details

Mt. Hope Cemetery