Leona Ruth Martin Rippy

Leona Ruth Martin Rippy, 95, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at 12:45 PM, Friday, May 31 , 2019 at Quinton Memorial Healthcare in Dalton Georgia.

Ruth was born April 5 , 1924, the 5th of 7 children, in Bethpage, Tennessee to parents William Arthur Martin & Jennie Mae Bell Martin. Her love for her family was unsurpassed and she spoke of them often until her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and in-laws, William Harold Martin (Ivy), Raymond Carsey Martin (Christine), Edna Frances Bradley (JG), Laura Ethelyn Brown (James) and Fred Wilson Martin (Janelle).

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jane Smith of Dalton, GA; grandchildren Robert Martin Smith of Illinois, Christopher Mark Smith (Cindy) of Dalton, GA & Angel Smith Pronger (Todd) of Milford, MI; Brother Ralph E. Martin (Susie) Madison, TN; great-grandchildren Joshua, Jennifer, Jacob & Kenny Smith of California, Benjamin, Jamie & Alex Smith of Georgia & Chase Pronger of Michigan; Ten great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her greatest joy was the arrival of her daughter Barbara Jane, from her marriage to Fortune K. Rippy. She truly enjoyed taking care of her three grandchildren and treating them to her delicious southern cooking, including amazing fried chicken and her famous chocolate meringue pie. Their fondest childhood memories were from time spent at their “Mammy" Ruth’s home, learning checkers, playing her piano and catching fireflies in her back yard. She kept them entertained singing nursery rhymes, telling stories and teaching about the simple things in life. Ruth also found happiness in planting beautiful flowers and feeding the birds and wildlife around her home

Ruth retired after 30 years with Genesco in Gallatin and then devoted her life to the care of others. She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gallatin where she was active with the Women’s Circles and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She especially loved to hand out Halloween candy to the children each year, during the annual celebration in downtown Gallatin. Always a giver and doer, if she ever felt someone was in need, Ruth made it her duty to help, from nursing the sick and babysitting to assisting her neighbors, well into her late 80’s.

In 2015, in order to be closer to her daughter in Dalton, Georgia, Ruth moved to Morningside Assisted Living and more recently to Quentin Memorial, where she made new friends with many of her caregivers. The most dedicated nurses and assistants made every effort to visit her in her final days to share their love and stories of why she had become one of their favorite residents during her time there. She was quick to make them laugh or give them a kiss or hug when she knew they were having a tough day.

Her daughter and grandchildren offer much appreciation to the loving staff at Quinton Memorial Healthcare and heartfelt gratitude to the team from Hamilton Hospice who made her final days and hours comfortable and helped them find peace with her passing. They also wish to offer appreciation to Love Funeral Home, for assisting with arrangements

Ruth’s immediate family participated in a beautiful Celebration of Life service hosted by Hamilton Hospice, Sunday, June 2 , 2019 at 2:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Dalton. A private memorial service for family will be planned for a later date in Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in her honor to First Presbyterian Church of Gallatin, 167 W Main St, Gallatin, TN 37066.