Ruth Dawson Shank, age 95 of Amelia, passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2020.  Ruth attended the University of Maryland, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences.  She worked for 33 years in the Richmond Public Health Laboratory, serving as Director for the four years prior to retiring.  She then volunteered at Chippenham Hospital and at Madeline's House, where she was a board member, and she was a longtime member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Amelia.

She was predeceased by her husband David E. Shank; sons Jerry D. Shank, Ronald L. Shank, and Kenneth W. Shank.  She is survived by her daughter Marjorie A. Lynn (Wayne) of Amelia, and her son Gary M. Shank (Lisa) of Nevada; grandchildren Judy Adams (Kenneth), Jerry Shank (Stacey), Jamie Shank, Brittany Fletcher (RD), Tamara Harver (Erik), Emily Poore (Greg), Julie Garza (Matt), Maxwell Shank and Aidan Shank; and eight great grandchildren with one due in March and is also survived by a close niece and nephew; Pat Whitt and Mike Dawson. .

The family will receive friends on Thursday January 23, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Hillsman-Hix Funeral Home, 16409 Court St. in Amelia.  A chapel service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with burial to follow in Amelia Presbyterian Cemetery.  Contributions may be made in Ruth's name to "Madeline's House" at the Southside Center for Violence Prevention, P.O. Box 466, Farmville, VA 23901.