Ruth Ella Singleton

Ruth Ella (“Mamaw”) Singleton passed away peacefully on Halloween night in Urbandale, Iowa. Ruth was born in Waynesburg, Kentucky to the late Herman Sluder and Crystal Mae Caldwell Sluder. She moved to Indiana along with her first husband Jim Watts and their two young children Judy and Joy. Shortly after Judy was born, her husband was killed in a tragic car accident. She lived the remainder of her adult life (until moving to Iowa to live with her grandson and his family last year) in New Albany, Indiana.

She was a longtime employee at the Green Tree Mall at Ben Snyders until it became Hess’s. She loved selling customers draperies, blinds and other window coverings. This passion eventually led to a change of scenery when she went to work for Inside Outlet until she retired in 2003 at the age of 74.

She had a nearly 70-year friendship with her best friend Gerry Scharrer and Gerry’s children lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Ruth.” Nothing meant more, though, to Ruth than family. And her pride and joy were her two girls. She selflessly cared for her daughters Judy and Joy until their passing in 2018 and 2023.

She absolutely loved all forms of arts and crafts. Her biggest claim to fame was her crocheting and many friends and family can point to an Afghan that she crocheted for them. She also enjoyed turning puzzles in to beautiful wall art. And, she even took up quilting at the ripe old age of 80 (thanks to Gerry of course). 

She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Watts, her husband Elmo Singleton, her daughters Judy Watts and Joy Swartz, her stepson Bob Singleton (Jan), her sisters Ruby Gay (Holloway Young) Sluder, Mary Charlene (Worley) Sluder, and Loretta Ann Sluder, her grandson Stephen Singleton, and her great grandson Caleb Baxter.

She is survived by her stepchildren Rhonda Zollman and Richard Singleton (Denise), grandchildren Janna Singleton, Dee Ilari, Michael Larner, Kelly Baxter, Angela Scott, and Eric Zollman, and over a dozen great-grandchildren.

A visitation to honor Ruth will take place on November 24, 2025, from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Newcomer Funeral Home in Southern Indiana located at 3309 Ballard Ln., New Albany, Indiana 47150. Friends and family are invited to gather to celebrate the remarkable life of an unforgettable woman. The funeral service will follow the next day, November 25, 2026, beginning at 11:00 A.M., also at Newcomer Funeral Home.

As we join together to remember Ruth Ella Singleton, we take solace in knowing that her legacy continues in the hearts of all those she touched. She will be deeply missed but forever cherished.