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BORN
1919
DIED
2010
Mildred Ruggles Obituary
Mildred Sanders Ruggles was 91.
Mrs. Ruggles was the wife of the late John F. Ruggles Jr., founder of the Ruggles Sign Company based in Versailles.
Mrs. Ruggles' granddaughter, Elizabeth Ruggles Pitchford, said her grandmother was active in both her father's and her husband's businesses, instrumental in starting Ruggles Sign Company and responsible for training KFC franchisees and promoting the restaurant.
In the late 1950s, Mrs. Ruggles traveled around the United States and Canada with Colonel Sanders teaching KFC franchisees the proper way to cook chicken "the Colonel's way," her family said.
"Grandpa Sanders was emphatic about making sure the owners knew how to cook the chicken, because the owners stuck around and employees changed," Pitchford said.
Mrs. Ruggles embodied Southern hospitality, her family said. She enjoyed meeting people, hosting and attending social gatherings and catching up with friends.
"She was always life of the party," said Marlona Ice, Mrs. Ruggles' daughter.
Ice said Mrs. Ruggles was know to call all her friends "Love."
Mrs. Ruggles was born Aug. 15, 1919, in Jeffersonville, Ind., the youngest of three children. She attended Saint Camillus Academy in Corbin.
She met her husband, John F. Ruggles Jr., at the first inauguration of Governor A.B. "Happy" Chandler, and the two married on her eighteenth birthday in 1937. In the 1940s they moved to Lexington, where they resided until their deaths.
Mrs. Ruggles was a longtime member of Central Christian Church in Lexington.
Mrs. Ruggles is survived by her daughter, Marlona Ruggles Ice, of Bardstown, and her son, John F. Ruggles III of Davie, FL. She has five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation for Mrs. Ruggles will be Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. at Central Christian Church, 205 East Short Street, followed by a memorial service.
Her family will hold a private burial later in the day.
-- By Josh Kegley of the Lexington Herald-Leader
Memories and Condolences
for Mildred Ruggles
15 Entries
Bob Hounslow
June 14, 2020
Let Love Flourish Where you are in Heaven,
Youre There Now Waiting For Your Loved Ones❤
Henry Clay Ruggles
January 9, 2012
I lived next door to Mrs. Ruggles' son when i lived in Davie,Fla but unfortunately never got to meet Mrs. Ruggles. wish I had. I have always loved KFC too. So sorry
Corey B
March 21, 2011
R.I.P
Henry Ruggles
January 13, 2011
Sorry for the loss of a wonderful person.
Prayers are with you,
Henry C. Ruggles
How you can show support
SCOTT CHAMBERLAND
December 5, 2010
REST IN PEACE
Joann
November 17, 2010
I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of Mrs. Ruggles passing. I hope that you may find some comfort in knowing that she is now home with God and will be waiting for the day you will be together again.
Providence Ice Age 10
October 19, 2010
This is Providence Ilsey Ice great-granddaughter of Mildred, or as I called her, Gigi. I will always remember her and how fond her letters would be in her cards. I will miss you forever Gigi!
Janet Ruggles Lentz
October 9, 2010
My father and John were cousins. As such, we received Mildred's Christmas letter, something I cherished each year. From my little KY town (800 people) I traveled the world with her through these letters. I credit her with my love of international news, culture and business. I've been blessed to live and do business internationally and am sorry that I never told her of her influence on my life.
Martha Gangloff
September 28, 2010
Read about Mildred's death in the Pittsburgh PA Tribune Review Sunday paper.
I remember Mildred Ruggles as my wonderful, caring Girl Scout Leader many years ago in Lexington, KY. As I recall, our troop even had a fund raiser where we sold bags of Col. Sanders secret spices, etc. that folks could use in their own kitchens!
I send my sympathy to Marlona and all the family members, as does my mother, also named Mildred, who lives in a care facility near me.
Martha Schneider Gangloff
Janice Bever
September 26, 2010
I met Mildred when my husband was manager of the condo's at Bellaire Beach. I remember one time she flew down from Lexington just to put two new lamps in her condo because she had guests coming and then flew right back to Lexington. She was a fun and caring lady and we appreciated her and Mr. Ruggles friendship.
billy bowling
September 26, 2010
god bless from oklahoma city oklahoma
Anna Bays
September 25, 2010
I met Mildred in the Richmond Place Rehab and she made my day, always anxious to do the therapy, laughed hard and was willing to try everything we were told to do. What a sense of humor.
HOWARD [TATER-BUG} COLEMAN
September 25, 2010
I WAS A NEXT DOOR FRIEND OF THE FAMILY IN THE 50"S. SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS . I CAN REMEMBER WHEN HER DAD WOULD COME DOWN FROM CORBIN TO VISIT ON BOB O LINK BEFORE HE STARTED THE KFC .
Frank Brannock
September 25, 2010
I was in the Ruggles home several times, most noteable for John III's birthday in the 8th grade. Mrs. Ruggles was a very gracious hostess and her passing is a huge loss to family and friends.
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