Saltillo – Ruth Patterson gained her angel wings peacefully, in her sleep, after a lengthy battle with Dementia and Parkinson's Disease on Tuesday, December 30th, 2025, at the age of 86. She attended Tupelo Church of God. Ruth was born East of Saltillo in the Springhill Community to Isom and Lizzie Parker on August 1, 1939. She was the 10th of 11 children.
Ruth married at a young age to the love of her life, E.M. "Pat" Patterson, and together they raised two children, Shelia and Todd. She had a kind and witty personality that touched everyone she met. Ruth was a homemaker and an excellent one at that. She had said many times that it was a better gig than picking cotton. She was also a model for clothing stores in the Tupelo area in the 80s and 90s. Even up to the very end, she made sure to let everyone know that she was a model. Ruth loved her fancy clothes. It did not matter if she was just going to the grocery store, she loved dressing up really nice. She was a lifetime member of the North Mississippi Medical Center Wellness Center where she made countless lifetime friendships. Ruth attended workout sessions there with her friends three times a week until her health began to fade.
Ruth leaves behind two children, Shelia Patterson and Todd Patterson (Marla); four grandchildren, Brandi Monaghan, Cassie Dial Leathers (Eric), Jake Patterson (Jessie Carolyn), Abby Patterson; eight great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and her sister and best friend, Peggy Ryan.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband E.M. "Pat" Patterson; four brothers; five sisters; and a precious great-great granddaughter, Charlotte Jase Gardner.
Visitation will be at 12 p.m. until service time Friday, January 2, 2026, at Pegues, Saltillo.
A Celebration of Life honoring Mrs. Ruth will be at 2 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Saltillo Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors with Bro. John Cagle officiating. Burial will follow at Union Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be her grandson, Jake Patterson and her great grandsons Seth Wade, Landon Gardner, Hunter West, Patrick Dial, John Maddox Monaghan, Chase Dial, and Gauge Leathers.
Expressions of fond memories and sympathy may be left at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
280 Mobile St, Saltillo, MS 38866

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