Ruth Thomas Deckard

DECKARD, Sarah Ruth Thomas, born July 1, 1933 in Bissell (Tupelo), MS passed away on January 26, 2014 at Physicians Regional Medical Center (Old St. Mary’s) surrounded by her family who was the most important thing in her life. Ruth was a loyal member of Ridgeview Baptist Church for over 47 years. She was a graduate of Tupelo High School Class of 1951 and went on to graduate from Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, TN in 1954. Ruth worked as a nurse for over 40 years, retiring from the St. Mary’s Emergency Room after 30 years of service. Ruth’s life was spent serving and caring for others- family, friends and patients. She is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Irene Thomas and brother, William P. Thomas, of Albuquerque, NM. Ruth is survived by her husband of 59 years, James F. Deckard; children, Michael Thomas (JoAnn) Deckard, of Cookeville, TN, Shirley (Larry) Moore of Knoxville, TN and Pamela Gorman of Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren, Sarah Moore, Nikki (Drew) Petty, Elizabeth Gorman, Jason (Jennifer) Gentry and Charlie Gentry. Great-grandchildren, Levi, Peyton, and unborn Petty child and unborn Gentry child.; sister, Martha Irene Nix of Georgia; brother, Dr. Daniel M. Thomas of Forest, MS; sister, Minnie T. Curlin of Memphis and sister-in-law, Francis (Barry) Gillespie of Memphis. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Lynnhurst-Greenwood Chapel of Berry Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918. Family and friends will meet at 1pm on Thursday for the chapel service, Pastor Maston Jackson, Assistant Pastor David McGill and Rev. Dr. Curtis Crenshaw, Th.D officiating. Interment will follow in Lynnhurst Cemetery.