Ruby Mae Southward, 97, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026 at her residence. She was born in Mississippi to Christo Anderson and Bertha Burgess Anderson. She was a homemaker and a member of Carter’s Branch Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 31, 3 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel, Belmont, MS with John Malone, Sr. officiating. Visitation will be Friday, January 30, 5-8 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS. Burial will be in Burgess-Southward Cemetery, Tishomingo, MS. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her daughters, Gail Southward, Margie Butler and Marveline Ivy (James); twenty-two grandchildren, Savanna Wise (Barney), Tammi Johnson, Katrina Pire, Latasha Gandy (Steven), Tony Johnson (Cherri), Renard Southward (Sabrina), Rodney Johnson, Felecia Crump (Vincent), James Southward, Jamie Allen, Chris Southward (Kasey), Angelia Allen, Anthony Southward (Arlene), Charnell McQueen (Deangelo), Tyrone Southward (Tondalaya), Leshia Ivy (Derrick), Tony Ivy, Derrick Ivy, Marisa Conley, Leon Butler, Marcus Butler and Talmadge Butler; forty-eight great-grandchildren; twenty-eight great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Marvin “Jim” Southward; children, Marvin “Tootie” Southward, Jr., Jimi Dale Johnson, James Dwight Southward and Bonnie Southward; four grandchildren; her parents; six brothers and two sisters.
Pallbearers will be Barney Wise, Terrance Gandy, Rodney Johnson, Tony Johnson, Renard Southward, Jaylon Powell and Antwon Powell. Honorary pallbearers will be Horace Alexander, Jr., James Ivy and Jerome Johnson
Special thanks to her daughters-in-law, Patricia Southward and Rea Southward; special friend, Stephanie Simkin; special son, Horace Alexander, Jr.; nieces, Schantell Anderson and Bettie Thomas; special cousins, Teresa Cannon and Earl Anderson and special daughter, Avy Long.
The family extends thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Booneville; special CNAs, Sarah and Angel, nurses, Heather and Jessica, Dr. Putnam, Dr. Greenhaw and Dr. Dennis.
