Ruby Miriam Bissett

Bissett, Ruby Miriam
Apr. 17, 1923 - Apr. 25, 2015
Ruby Miriam Bissett, 92, of Sarasota, FL, passed away at home April 25, 2015.
Miriam was born in Birmingham, AL, April 17, 1923. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood G. 'Al' Bissett, her brother, Paul M. McCullough, her sister, Chloe M. Hadaway, and her parents, Thomas Marion McCullough and Ruby Montague Moor McCullough.
Miriam is survived by eight loving nieces and nephews, a host of cherished long-time friends, and close companion, Stanley Dodd.
Miriam graduated from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, AL, in 1940. She then earned degrees from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, AL, and the Women's Missionary Union Training School at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. She combined her love for God, her love for people, and her love for travel into a stint as a missionary in Mexico for several years, and though her official status as a missionary ended in 1956, her concern to bring God's love to the world persisted throughout her life no matter where she landed. She met Al Bissett while on holiday in Europe and that began a 45-year love story that only ended with Al's death in 2001. Her marriage to Al also took her to the Panama Canal Zone where they lived and worked until 1969. They eventually settled in Sarasota, FL, and Miriam continued to live out her passion for the world, traveling with Al, working as a Spanish teacher at Riverview High School, and later, a travel agent, all the while serving as a faithful member of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Sarasota.
Miriam's life was primarily defined by her faith in Christ and service to others. She was also a smart, strong, fiercely independent 'woman before her time,' who brightened all rooms she entered with great conversation, a sharp wit, and some occasional light-hearted mischief. She was a generous and loyal friend to many, both at home and abroad, and a wonderful, 'cute' Aunt who looked after her nieces and nephews and her 'girls from Mexico' as if they were her own children. She lived life fully, and she constantly inspired all around her to do the same. She will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 4p.m. at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Sarasota, 4445 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Miriam Bissett to Global Women, PO Box 1535, Pelham, Alabama 35124.