Ruth Lewis

Ruth Jeanette (Petty) Lewis, 90, of Forest, Mississippi, is now soaring with the angels after passing away peacefully after an extended illness, on June 25, 2023, in the home of her daughter.  She had a life well lived and was ready to be with her Lord and Savior.

A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be 11:00am Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Leaf River Baptist Church in Pineville with visitation starting at 10:00am. Burial will follow in the Pineville-Leaf River Cemetery.

She was born in Elliott, MS on May 9, 1933, to Robert Virgil and Annie Lou (Carlton) Petty.  She graduated from Holcomb Consolidated High School in 1951.  During her senior year, she met the love of her life.  She and John Thomas Lewis of Pineville, MS, were married on April 21, 1951.  They had celebrated their 49th anniversary at the time of his death in 1999.

Their adventures took them many places in Georgia, Mississippi, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma.  On her husband’s retirement, the family settled in Pineville, where he had lived as a child.  They raised chickens, some cattle and spent time with family, friends, and friends from Leaf River Baptist Church.

Ruth loved to sing and participated in the Leaf River Baptist Church choir and later in the Forest Baptist Church Choir after her relocation to Forest after her husband’s death.

She enjoyed painting.  She took lessons for several years, and her children are the recipients of her labors.  She also spent many hours watching Bob Ross and tried so hard to master his technique.

She gave selflessly of herself, caring for those needing special assistance both in her home and as a sitter.  She was also a member of the Auxiliary of Lackey Hospital and loved to spend time visiting while carrying out her duties.

She was predeceased by her husband, John Thomas Lewis; parents Robert Virgil and Annie Lou Petty; brothers James Robert Petty, Clifford Franklin Petty, Willie Ben Petty, Vernon Eugene Petty, Sr and William Ray Petty; sisters Christine Virginia Adams, Mary Ann Russell and Nancy Helen Price; son Richard Neal Lewis; special friend Royce Windham.

She is survived by daughters Helen Ruth Lewis (Carol), Brenda Gail Hubsher and Cynthia (Cindy) Ann Denslow; son John Thomas Lewis, Jr; brothers Donald Gordon Petty (Marsha), Ernest Criss Petty (Emily); sister Lillie Frances Parker; grandsons Jeremy Mark Hubsher, Robert Wesley Denslow, Robert Wilcox Roncali; granddaughters Rebecca Lynn Hubsher, Allison Kyle Hubsher, Kristyn Jeanette Anderson (Patrick) and Holly Nicole Upton (John David).  She is survived by multiple great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.