Ruth Alice Douglas, 79, died April 13, 2007, at her home after a 15-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Ruth was born and raised in New Smyrna Beach. She and her husband, Donald F. Douglas Jr., were married for 35 years. The couple had lived in Palatka since 1954. She was an accomplished business woman, artist and seamstress, but most of all she was known for her love of family and friends.Ruth was a member of the All Saints Anglican Church in Palatka and worked as a switchboard operator for Southern Bell and St. Johns River Community College. She enjoyed participating in civic and social organizations such as the Palatka Woman's Club, the Homemakers Club of Palatka, the Garden Club of Palatka and the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #200 in Crescent City.Ruth and Don thoroughly enjoyed hosting parties at the beach, and she never missed an opportunity to share her latest recipe. As a woman who loved the outdoors, Ruth cherished the many camping and fishing trips as a den mother for Boy Scout Troop 236.She was known for her quick wit and independent nature and was respected for her unwavering convictions.Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Albert Taylor and Ruth Chambers Taylor, and her husband, Donald Friend Douglas.She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Taylor and Marsha Douglas of Palatka, and Don and Antonella Douglas of Crescent Beach; four grandchildren, Charity Hawkins and husband, Jeremy, of Palatka, Charlie Douglas of Jacksonville, and Lucas and Julia Douglas of Crescent Beach; three great-grandchildren, Drew, Logan and Kendall Hawkins, all of Palatka.Funeral services in celebration of Ruth's life will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka with the Rev. Rick Westbury officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Palatka. Memorial donations may be made to National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Miami, Fla. 33136-1494, or Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, Fla. 32177. The family will receive friends today from 6-8 p.m. at the Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.PAID NOTICE(St. Augustine Record, 4/16/06)