Mary Ruth Best Frederick, 76, passed away at her residence in Hatley on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. She was born in Aberdeen on June 24, 1949 to the late Allen and Lou Viola Sanderson Best. Mary Ruth was a graduate of Amory High School, Class of 1967 where she was a star basketball player, even having a signature moved named after her. She married William Frederick on December 22, 1968. Mary Ruth worked 16 years at Red Kapp and also worked a number of years in the Hatley School Cafeteria. She enjoyed gardening, working in her yard and cooking of her family. She dearly loved her grandchildren and according to them she looked pretty in everything and was still a beast on the basketball court. Mary Ruth was a member of Amory First Assembly of God and served others with the compassion, kindness and love of Christ.
Mary Ruth is survived by her daughter, Lori Ann Farrar; grandchildren, Blake Stoddard, Brandon Stoddard (Gabi) and Emma Farrar; brothers, Jim Best, Becker and David Best (Belinda), Becker; longtime friends, Ann Evans, Peggy Bethany, Rita Sargent, Sue Sargent, Linda Bunch, Audrey Vann and Ann Smith; a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Ruth is preceded in death by her brothers Donny, Bobby and Jerry Wayne Best.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home in Amory with Pastor Justin Myers and Bro. Dave Best officiating. Burial will follow in Greenbrier Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Blake Stoddard, Brandon Stoddard, Jeremy Farrar, Rick Stoddard and Randle Smith.
Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday from noon until 2 PM.
