Ruth grew up in Clarke County, Mississippi, graduated from Meridian High School in 1940, married her airman in 1942 and moved to Mobile in 1943. She worked at National Gypsum, before choosing to stay home and raise her four girls. When The University of South Alabama opened its doors in 1963, she decided to return to school to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees there, and upon graduation, began her teaching career at Crichton Academy. She went on to teach at Central Baptist School, Blount High School, and finished her career at the age of 76 as a Home Bound teacher in the Mobile County Public School System. She dearly loved teaching and seeing her student’s lives enriched from knowledge. Her caregivers at Ashland Place Health and Rehab even asked her to help them with their math homework during her last weeks of life, and it brightened her day to do. She also enjoyed playing Bridge and Blackjack, gardening and traveling with her family.
She is survived by daughters Ellouise Pennington, Becky (Tommy) Gatlin, Barbara England, and Beverly (Janic) Terry; grandchildren John Leggett, Ellouise (David) Daniel, Amy Worthington, Olivia England, Mackensie and Nicholas Terry; great-grandchildren Kate, Lucy, and Caroline Leggett, and Cynthia and Alicia Daniel; dear friend Dorothy Battiste, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bueford, infant daughter Sue Ann, parents Hugh and Mamie Mayerhoff, brother Hugh Mayerhoff, Jr, sister Evelyn Purtz, and stepfather Edward McGrath.
The family wishes to recognize the gentleness, kindness, and exceptional care of the Mobile Infirmary SICU staff, especially nurses John, James and Emily, as well as her wonderful caregivers at Ashland Place Health and Rehab.
Her funeral will be held Friday, March 20 at 11:00am at Pine Crest Funeral Home, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, with visitation starting at 9:00am. The celebration of Ruth’s life will continue at a luncheon at Grace Anglican Church, 817 Estella Street, Fairhope, Alabama at approximately 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Light of The Village (www.lightofthevillage.org), or to the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.PineCrestFuneralHome.com for the England family.
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