In Memory of

Ruth

Arminda

O'Bryan

(Turner)

Obituary for Ruth Arminda O'Bryan (Turner)

Ruth Arminda Turner Semaschko O’Bryan, aged 93, passed away September 24, 2017 at her home in Franklin, North Carolina. Born in Waynesville, North Carolina on May 17, 1924 to Philip David Turner and Martha (Mattie) Louise Queen Turner. Ruth graduated from Waynesville Township High School as valedictorian and from The Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (UNC-G). She was married to Nicholas Semaschko, Jr. for 43 years and they resided in Hendersonville, NC. Following Nick’s death in 1985, she married Allen D. O’Bryan in 1992 and resided in Beaufort and Pine Knoll Shores, NC until Allen’s death in 1994.
Nick served in the US State Department, following WWII, as Military Governor where Ruth joined him in Germany. They resided first in the county of Esslingen, and second in the county of Heilbronn. Ruth was widely involved in religious, civic, and political organizations wherever she lived. She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, DAR, PEO Sisterhood, and the Democratic Party. She served on the five-member NC State Board of Elections for 13 years. She taught business for 8 years at Flat Rock High School.
To her grandchildren, she became Oma – a nod to those years in Germany. However, she quickly became Oma to all who knew and loved her. She was quick witted, fiercely independent, an avid reader, loved to travel, and maintained a life-long thirst for knowledge. A true matriarch, she was a source of guidance, wisdom, and humor- and loved her family most of all.
She is survived by her daughter, Anne Semaschko Hyder of Otto, NC; two grandchildren- Stephanie Hyder Laseter (Ben), and Brad Hyder (Ashley) both of Franklin, NC; four great-grandchildren – Laurel Ruth Laseter, Benjamin Reid Laseter, Grayson Turner Hyder, and Gunnar Ryan Hyder; a sister- Frances Turner Satterfield of Waynesville, NC; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, William David Turner; sister, Mary Anne Turner Loflin.
A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, October 22nd at 1:30pm at Franklin First United Methodist Church.
Memorials can be made to the Semashko/Rotary Memorial Scholarship Endowment by giving to the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation at 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or First United Methodist Church of Franklin NC.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.