Ruth Saunders Cogan, 93, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt passed away on May 30 at Edgewood Summit in Charleston after a long illness.

Born in Robinette, West Virginia in 1933, she was a lifelong resident of West Virginia. She graduated from Dupont High School and was offered a full scholarship to Marshall University, which she declined due to family obligations. Upon graduation she was employed at Sears, and later worked for Jefferds and Moore, and FMC.

Throughout her life, Ruth was devoted to and prioritized her family and faith. She was married to Harry Manning Cogan, III, for 50 years and together they made their home in Charleston, South Charleston, and Hurricane. Her greatest joy was being with her immediate and extended family. She is remembered for her loving, kind, and generous spirit, and for leading a life grounded in her Christian faith and love. Her life was a model of devotion.

She was a faithful member of Farrar Baptist Church and later attended the Bible Center Church. Knowing her was a blessing. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy. Through her living example, she instilled in others the values of honesty, integrity, empathy and gratitude, and has enabled us to live fully, embracing both great joy for her life and deep sorrow with her passing. Her family finds comfort knowing that, as her death approached, she was listening to the hymns she loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry M. Cogan, III, her parents Golden and Mary Saunders, her stepfather, Elzie Ferrell; her siblings, Wayne Saunders, Lacy Saunders, and Goldia Raines; and step-siblings Virginia Pinson, Willard Ferrell, Norman Ferrell, Garland Ferrell, Walter Ferrell, and Charles Ferrell.

She is survived by her son Harry Cogan, IV and his wife, Karen, and daughters, Mary Beth Cogan, and Laura Cunnings and her husband Col. John Cunnings; her grandchildren, Hal, Brian and Will Cogan, Ellen and Claire Beaudry, and Erin Boone Burdette, Ryan and Kyle Boone; and her great-grandchild, Sadie Boone, with two additional great grandchildren expected. Her family was her greatest source of pride and joy.

She was also survived by her younger siblings to whom she was devoted, Gay Bono, Johnny Ferrell, and Glenn Ferrell, and was thought of as a “second mother”.

She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many.
Family welcomes friends at 3:00 pm for visitation at Snodgrass Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 4:00 pm on Friday, June 26, 2026, with Pastor Richard Thompson officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice Care of WV, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W. Charleston, WV 25387-2536.

Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.