O. Ruth Daugherty-Kelley

1938 – 2021

O. Ruth Daugherty-Kelley, age 83, of Montgomery, AL died peacefully in La Grange, KY on July 15, 2021 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Ruth was born in Forkland, KY to a farming family. She graduated from Parksville High School and attended Spencerian College. She married Virgil Kinnaird Kelley, Jr. in 1957 becoming an AF military spouse. Kinnaird was killed in Vietnam in 1967. She married Edward Ziemniak in 1970. She loved to travel, traveling throughout Europe and to the Holy Land in 1979. She was a talented and passionate golfer and loved reading immensely.

Ruth obtained a B.S. in Social Work from Auburn University and worked as an Addictions Counselor and Geriatric Social Worker.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Capt. V. Kinnaird Kelley, Jr., her grandchildren Skyler Wheeler and Katherine Sylvia Kelley-Koch, and dear friend and companion Joseph C. Pine.

She is survived by: her ex-husband Ret Maj. Edward Ziemniak of Montgomery, AL;

Her three children, Tracey Kelley-Feeney (Shaun) of La Grange, KY, Chris Kelley (Karie) of Wetumpka, AL, and Corey Ziemniak (Daniel) of Los Angeles, CA;

Her grandchildren Heather Durham, Torey Kelley, Hollis Kelley, Chesney Kelley, Jacob Feeney, and Heath Feeney; and great grandchildren Jaxson Durham, Jase Ingram and Talyn Ingram;

Her siblings Lois Floyd (Paul) of Richmond, Ralph Daugherty (Judy) of Independence, KS, Barbara Tarter of

Moreland, Pat Seay (Donald) of Junction City, and Charles Daugherty (Shirley) of Harrodsburg.

Visitation to be held at Stith Funeral Home in Junction City, July 21, 2021 11:30am – 1:30pm, with funeral services to follow. A brief farewell service will be held at Bellevue Cemetery in Danville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruth’s memory to TreatmentAdvocacyCenter.org or FeedingAmerica.org. The online guestbook and Hugs from Home are available at www.stithcares.com