Ruth Louise Huffine Bartow

Ruth Louise Huffine Bartow, 91, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 1, 2023. Ruth was predeceased by her husband Gene, who died January 3, 2012 after 59 years of marriage.

Ruth was a great woman, a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be remembered for her generous spirit and spunk, neverending love for her family and friends and her strong faith and character.

Ruth was born in Galt, Missouri where she grew up working in her family general mercantile store. She was very active in school playing basketball and also playing saxophone in the band. Ruth and Gene met at a high school basketball tournament in 1948 in Browning, Missouri. Both attended Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, Missouri where Ruth obtained a teaching degree. She was an elementary school teacher in Iowa, Texas, Missouri and Indiana as she moved often with Gene in his coaching profession. After moving to Memphis in 1970 Ruth gave up teaching and devoted all her time and energy to the family and being a coach’s wife. She never tired of watching basketball! Ruth was active in charitable organizations, including being an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 58 years and she enjoyed the faculty wives group at each University where she and Gene called home: Iowa, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, California and Alabama.

Ruth leaves behind her children, Mark, Murry (Tammy) and Beth (Mark); grandchildren, Stryder, Alec (Kacy), Stephen (Carrie Mae), Connor (Brooke), Carter, Davis, Elizabeth and Maggie; four great grandchildren, Gene, Emerson, Teagan and Christian. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dee Huffine as well as many nieces, nephews and other family members. In addition to Gene she was preceded in death by her mother and father, Frances and Byrl Huffine, brother Robert and sisters Jean and Mary Lee.

The family would like to thank caregiver, Betty Leslie who made Ruth’s last year at home possible and extremely comfortable. The funeral service will be at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Avenue, on Saturday, January 7 at 11 a.m. with the family receiving friends beginning at 9:30 at the church. The service will be broadcast on VHMC facebook live page. There will be a family graveside service following (anyone is welcome) at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, AL. Online condolences can be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/11088574.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gene Bartow Research Fund at the UAB Cancer Center, the B. Gene Bartow UAB Endowed Athletic Scholarship or Vestavia Hills Methodist Church.