Ruth Phillips Peel's Obituary
On April 19th, Ruth E. Peel took her last breath on this earthly plane with her daughter Jane, by her side. Mrs. Peel had been residing in The Woodlands, Texas for the past seven years close to her family. Many who came to know her, characterized her as “a true Southern Belle”. Janie Ruth was born in Marks, Mississippi to Jeff and Lilly Mae Cummins on May 8, 1920. Due to the untimely death of her mother at age five, Ruth and her five siblings were adopted separately. Leatha and Ward Erwin adopted and raised Ruth in Greenwood, Mississippi. She attended Holmes Junior College where she was active in drama, dance and tennis. She graduated valedictorian from Holmes Junior College at the age of 16. At age 21, Ruth joined one of the original Woman’s Army Air Core stationed in Mississippi and received an honorable discharge a year later due to illness. At age 23, Ruth married Joseph Thomas Phillips in Sarasota, Florida and they moved to Memphis, Tennessee the same year. Most of her adult life, Ruth was a homemaker, dedicated mother, and devoted wife living 55 years on Northwood Drive in East Memphis. She was a long time member of Second Presbyterian Church. Her passion was gardening and flower arranging. She was President of the Garden Club for many years. At age 42, she entered the work force as a personnel agent and within a year opened Phillips Personnel Agency specializing in medical placements. Eight years after the death of her husband, Joe, in 1969, Mrs. Peel remarried a widowed neighbor, J. Ralph Peel and shared five loving years with him before his death in 1982. Molded by the challenges of her youth and illnesses throughout her life, Ruth managed to rise above life’s trials and was characterized by those who knew her as “an independent woman” and “generous above and beyond” of her time, her possessions and her heart. She touched the hearts of many with her generosity, especially the family she leaves behind in Texas: her daughter, Jane Phillips Weierman; her devoted son-in-law, Chris Weierman; her grandson, Ryan Lawson and his wife Amber. Mrs. Peel is also survived by her last remaining sibling, Beatrice Clark, who resides in Oxford, Mississippi; as well as ten nieces and nephews. Her family wishes to recognize and thank the owners of Magnolia House, her personal care home for the past five years, Walter and Natalie Klepacz who loved her like family, along with the wonderful care givers she has had, especially her devoted CNA Maggie Taft. Visitation and Graveside Services will be held on Mrs. Peel’s 91st birthday, May 8th, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest next to her first husband, Joseph Thomas Phillips who preceded her in death 40 years ago.
What’s your fondest memory of Ruth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ruth?
Share a story where Ruth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ruth you’ll never forget.
How did Ruth make you smile?