Ruth Shelton Rushing, 91, of Columbus, MS, peacefully went on to glory on Thursday, December 29, 2022, surrounded by family.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home.  A funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John Taylor officiating.  A private family graveside will be at Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS.

Ruth was born on September 23, 1931, to Boyd and Bea Shelton in Millport, AL. Ruth graduated from Lee High School in 1949. After graduating, she pursued a career as a telephone operator with South Central Bell. Later, she transferred with them from Columbus to Tupelo and then to Jackson to complete 30 years of service.

She started her family in 1954 with Randy and added Cathy in 1961. Ruth met Arnold through her sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Robert, and the two were married in 1976. They were married for 44 years and between the two had 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

After retiring, Ruth poured herself into her gardening. She traveled the country with the Prime Timers at Fairview and visited grandchildren. She enjoyed singing in the Fairview choir and 55+ choir including the Living Pictures Easter Program. She was active in the Watchman Prayer Ministry, a ministry of Fairview making sure others was prayed over 24/7. No one could compete with her pickling (sweet pickles), canning jams and jellies, and cooking of cornbread dressing, chicken nuggets, hushpuppies, coconut cake, turtles, and chocolate pie.

Ruth was a woman of strong faith, and she instilled that importance upon her family. She will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched. Ruth was predeceased by Boyd Nathaniel Shelton, Willie Bea Fields Shelton, Charles Shelton, Clyde Shelton, Bobby Shelton, Ann Shelton Ashcraft, and Clyde Arnold Rushing. She is survived by son Randy Wood (Patti), daughter Cathy Taylor (John), step-daughter Donna Miller (Steve), and grandchildren Kati Ramage, K.C. Wood (Cori), Kris Wood (Lindsay), Stefanie Christy (Nick), Jay Taylor (Melissa), Staci Franklin (Thomas), Carley Choate (Kevin), Jessica Davis (Eligh) and Sarah Miller, 16 great-grandchildren, and one brother – Larry Shelton.

Pallbearers will be Nick Christy, Kevin Choate, Thomas Franklin, Jay Taylor, K.C. Wood, and Kris Wood.  Honorary pallbearers will be Lyle Kleppelid, Bruce Ashcraft, Kenny Ashcraft, Mike Shelton, Terry Shelton, Tish Ramsey's Sunday School Class, Taneisha Hood, Tamara Davis, LeNora Johnson, Jackie Ali, and Linda Clinton.

Memorials can be made to Fairview Baptist Church Music Ministry, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, MS  39702 or CityChurch, 1910 W. McDowell Road,  Jackson, MS 39204.