Ruth McGuffee Ratchford

Ruthie was born in New Hebron, MS to Clarence and Myra McGuffee on December 8, 1924, the youngest of 5 children. She went to high school at New Hebron High and graduated in 1942 with the highest honors. Following high school graduation, she moved to Jackson MS to live with her older sister Bess. She began her business career as a statistical clerk in the accounting department of the Southern Bell Telephone Company. She became a Red Cross Volunteer working as a nurse’s aide at the Baptist Hospital and selling War Bonds during World War II.

Her patriotic fever burned and in April 1945 she enlisted in the Navy as a seaman apprentice. She had an exciting two months "boot training" at Hunter College in New York City. Ruthie then attended Hospital Corps training in Great Lakes and was subsequently stationed at the NAS Hospital in Pensacola, FL where she met Fred T. Ratchford, just recently back from the war. She served for 14 months in the personnel department until the war ended. Fred was stationed in China, and upon his return they planned to marry. In the meantime, she attended Mississippi College and became a cheerleader. She married Fred in August of 1947. As a Navy wife, she traveled to Oceanside, CA where her son Tommy was born, then 2 years later to Cairo Egypt where her daughter Martha was born. They survived the overthrow of King Farouk, and the Queen’s physician delivered Ruthie’s precious baby. She kept a watchful eye as all the Egyptian nurses wanted to take Martha home with them! They subsequently lived in Guam, Pensacola and Beaufort, SC from where Fred retired.

Upon returning to Pensacola, Ruthie began her Civil Service career and worked as an Assistant Head of the Cost Accounting Division in the Public Works Center at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL for many years. She enjoyed serving with the Pilot Club and worked the state conferences for many years. She participated in the WAVES, Mardi Gras Club, the Association of Government Accountants, the Daughters of the Nile, and the New Hebron Chapter of the Eastern Star. Ruthie was most active in her greeting card ministry, always remembering birthdays, anniversaries and holidays with hundreds of friends and family.

Ruthie was keenly involved as a Sunday School administrator in her many years at Warrington Baptist Church, where she met her devoted husband of 15+ years, Ran Humphreys. Their travels included journeys to Hawaii and several trips to Alaska with Ran’s daughter Teri Lynn and family. Ruthie and Ran enjoyed many trips over the years including a trip to the Holy Lands where Ran was instrumental in teaching scripture and history of the Middle East. Their trip ended in Cairo, 57 years after the birth of her daughter to the building in which she was born. Ran gave Ruthie a new life of joy, companionship and happiness.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Ran Humphreys, daughter Martha Ratchford (William Tucker Jr.) of Fernandina Beach, FL, Daughter-in-Law Suzy Ratchford of McComb, MS, granddaughter Amanda Cherry (Andrew) and great grandson, Michael of Seattle, WA and Ran’s daughters Dawn Humphreys, Ruby Karen Humphreys, Lydia Ann Sallinger (Michael), Elizabeth Davis (Robert), Terrie Lynn Despard (Bruce), and son Timothy Humphreys. She is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, her husband Fred T. and son Fred T Ratchford, Jr., her siblings Earl McGuffee (Ruby), Bess McGuffey Irwin (Edwin), Robert McGuffee (Grace) and Mary McGuffee Sneed (Torrence).

Funeral service will be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 N. New Warrington Road on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 11:30 with Reverend Doctor John Pavlus officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Visitation will be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home on February 23, 2023 from 1030-1130, with services to begin at 1130. Pallbearers will be Joe Earl McGuffee, Shorty Sneed, William A Tucker, Jr., Bruce Despard, Orville Pierce, Denis McInnion.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Pilot Club of Pensacola, P.O. BOX 965, Pensacola, FL. 32591

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Ratchford family.