Ruth R McKenzie

Mrs. Ruth R. McKenzie, 87, of Swainsboro passed away Monday, December 29, 2025, at her residence following an extended illness. She was born November 7, 1938, in Metter to the late Elsie Jackel Robertson and Polly Sutton Robertson. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford McKenzie; daughter, Mary Ruth Gulledge; son-in-law, Wayne Gulledge; daughter-in-law, Connie McKenzie; sisters, Mattie Lee Coleman, Frances McKenzie; brothers, Donald Robertson, Willard Robertson.

Ruth Mckenzie (Pud as she was affectionately known by her family) was a native of Emanuel County. She lived in the Twin City area until her long-time love Clifford swept her off her feet and moved her to Blun, GA. They lived there their whole lives and raised 3 wonderful children. They worked during the day and farmed after work. They had a host of farm animals including cows, donkeys, hogs, and chickens to name a few. She instilled hard work into the next generation by picking, preserving, and learning what a joy it was to have homegrown food with love (even if we were dragged out before dawn to join her in the pea patch).

She shared her love and kindness with her family and everyone she met. She was a jokester at heart and loved gag gifts during the holidays. She enjoyed sewing all sorts of things even outside of her work at Sportswear. She was an amazing cook, and you always left her loving home very well fed. As far as hobbies... she loved to fish! She would out fish all of the avid fisherman she came across, and she passed that joy onto her family (especially Bo). She was a caregiver at heart. She took care of all of our wounds: cuts from hay cutters, 2nd degree burns, and broken legs from her daredevil grandchildren. She enjoyed her family more than anything and sharing the history of her lineage.

She is survived by her sons, Ricky Robertson of Swainsboro, Bo McKenzie of Dublin; grandchildren, Pamela Hutcheson (Kyle) of Vidalia, Josh Robertson (Michelle) and Melissa Gulledge (Jeff), both of Swainsboro; 3 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2026, at Peebles-Curry Memorial Chapel with Reverend Joe Bedgood officiating.

Interment will be in Bithynia Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services.

Pallbearers are Roy Jones, Tim Harrell, Tommy Henry, Earl Conrad, Gerald Henry and Andy Coxwell.

Condolences may be expressed at www.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Ruth R. McKenzie, 87 of Swainsboro.