Mrs. Ruth Helen Deal, age 85 of McCaysville, GA passed away on Friday, January 10, 2014, at the Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. She was born on Saturday, July 7, 1928 and was the daughter of the late George Everett and Sylvia Katherine Purdew Cochran. Mrs. Deal had owned several restaurants. She was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church. Mrs. Deal was preceded in death by parents; husband, Earl James Deal and daughter, Deborah Sue Deal.

Survivors include son, Billy Wayne Deal of McCaysville, GA; daughters, Helen Pittman (Max) of Blue Ridge, GA and Yvonne Deal of Copperhill, TN; sisters, Izetta Chasser of Jacksonville, FL, Virginia Ledford of Tunnel Hill, GA, Vernette Taylor of Reliance, TN and Vivian Cheatham of Charleston, TN; eight grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Lee Tanner officiating. Music will be by Patricia Gilliam and The Kenny O’Neal Family. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rev. Max Pittman, Jr., Junior Deal, Marty Deal, Johnny Wayne Deal, Chad Deal and Brad Deal. Honorary Pallbearers will be great grandsons and great granddaughters.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, January 13, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. until the funeral hour of 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.