A.B. Ruth 89 of Columbus, MS passed away Friday, December 24, 2021, at his residence.

A graveside service will be Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Bro. Jimmy Ray officiating, Ray Crane assisting and  Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Ruth was born January 22, 1932, in Vardaman, MS to the late Brewer and Elsie Gillespie Ruth.  He moved to Columbus in 1967 from Memphis, TN.  Mr. Ruth was a veteran of the U.S. Army.  He was a member of Old Town Baptist Church, Bruce, MS.  Mr. Ruth retired in 1975 from the Civil Service where he worked in the CAFB Commissary for 28 years.   He enjoyed fishing, hunting,  gardening,  listening to music, and visiting friends, family, and especially grandchildren. He loved listening to music especially country music. In addition to his parents, Mr. Ruth was preceded in death by his brothers – Carrol David Ruth and Earl Wayne Ruth.

Mr. Ruth is survived by his wife – Martha A Baker Ruth, Columbus, MS; daughters – Debi (Chris) Liptak, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Lisa Banks, North Pole,  Alaska and Shelia (Henry) Glover, Columbus, MS; son – Steve (Traci) Ruth, Columbus, MS; brother – Leon (Rose) Ruth, Walls, MS; 7 grandchildren – Zachary Liptak, Rachel Hitchcock, Mara Ruth, Caleb Eaves, Hannah Hatcher, Ashlyn Glover, and Brandon Glover; 7 great-grandchildren – Henleigh Ruth, Ledger Ruth,  Luke Hitchcock, Lillian Hitchcock, and Allen Hitchcock. Heath Hatcher and Hays Hatcher.

Pallbearers will be Glen Burns, Brandon Glover, Henry Glover, Mike Glover, Rodney Glover, and Caleb Eaves.  Honorary pallbearers will be Russell Poole, Bilbo Davis, Lonzello  Ivy, Jim Proudy, Tunesia Bradley, Jimmy Ray Bourland, Dr. Ken Harvey, Ray Crane, Kindred Hospice and Home Health, and Bobby Brown, NP.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.