RSVP-Staff

Executive Director

Betty M. Ruth

Executive Director - Betty Muse Ruth has been the director since October 13, 1978. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Athens State University in Business Administration and Master's in Business Administration from the University of North Alabama.

Betty is currently serving as treasurer of the National Association of RSVP Directors. She has served on the national board in various positions including President and Vice President.  In addition she is currently serving as President of the Southern States Association and served in various positions on the Alabama Association of RSVP Directors.   Betty was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to the Alabama Department of Senior Services Board of Directors for a four year term.  She was appointed to the Governor's Commission on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in 1993 and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Commission.  She served three terms as chair of the Commission.  The Governor of Alabama appointed Betty as a Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1996.  Betty served as a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.  She was appointed by Congressman Bud Cramer.  Betty serves on the Athens State University Alumni Board of Directors and chairs the Alumni Awards Committee.

Betty is married to Larry Oliver, has one child, Tommy, and daughter-in-law, Johanna.  Betty and Larry were blessed with a beautiful grandson on August 7, 2005.  His name is Nicolas Paul Ruth.  Nicolas and his parents reside in Denver, Colorado.

Marilyn is a native of Limestone County.  She graduated from Elkmont High School and attended Calhoun Technical College.  She is married to Larry Posey.  They have two sons, Lee and Jeremy.  Lee is married to Jennifer Gandy; Jeremy is married to Tasha Kirby.  Lee and Jennifer have a son born January 16, 2006.  His name is Nathan Lee.   Jeremy and Tasha have a son born December 22, 2006.  His name is Caden Alexander. Marilyn worked eight years for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Service and seven years for the County Board of Education.

Marilyn has been employed at RSVP since June 5, 2000 as transportation coordinator.  Her activities include taking the Golden Age Band to various retirement homes, senior centers, and assisted living facilities.  In addition, she takes Nursing Home residents out for pleasure rides each week and RSVP volunteers to their volunteer stations.  Her job with RSVP is fulfilling and rewarding.

Donald G. McMeans and Barbara Gordon were married April 23, 1954.  They have three children Don, Bobbie Jayne, and Sonya Faye; four grandchildren, Beth, Kurt, Ethan, Trey and John Michael.

Barbara  retired from Athens City Board of Education (Cowart Elementary School) fourteen years ago.  For the next five years, she was a full time grandmother.  Then she opened a Day Care for Children for six year before retiring again. 

Out of retirement once more, in June 2000, Barbara became the Reading Coordinator for RSVP.   She works with the Athens and Limestone County Elementary Schools.  The volunteers work one on one with students to improve reading skills.  It is a joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they improve their reading skills.  The critical years are kindergarten to third grades.  It is important to reach these children at an early age.

Graduated High School at Oakman, Alabama and attended Athens College.  She is married with two children and three grandchildren and one great-grandson.  Bobbie’s travels have included most of the fifty states, Canada, Nova Scotia and Europe.  When not working at the RSVP office, she spends her leisure time reading, taking pictures of family, scenery and other special events.  During the summer months she enjoys working with potted plants.   Her new hobby is surfing the internet and corresponding with friends via e-mail.

Special Events

Oneda Webster

Retired from South Central Bell Telephone Company.  She is a part time staff person and a full time caregiver for her Mother.

A native of Limestone County.  She has worked with RSVP since 2001.  She retired from the Federal Government in 1988 and has been an active volunteer since her retirement.  She serves as a volunteer with American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Department of Human Resources, and many other organizations.

Dean is currently serving as President of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees local chapter.    She has three daughters, one son, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.