Mildred Ruth Murphy Fitts had, among her diverse hobbies over her long and fruitful lifetime, a habit of cutting out and keeping obituaries of fellow citizens who made it to 100. “Miss” Ruth departed this life on Monday, January 1, 2024, from North Miss. Medical Center after herself living 101 years, 3 months and 19 days. And, up until Aug. 2023, she lived independently and freely in her own home. Born Oct. 13, 1922 in Steele, Missouri to the late James Isom Murphy and Otye McCoy Murphy, Ruth’s family eventually settled in south Pontotoc Co. She graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1941. She had her sights set on a dashing young World War II Navy man named Ulvie Fitts. While on furlough after seeing wartime service at Pearl Harbor and the Invasion of Normandy, they were married in Pontotoc on April 4, 1942. She and Ulvie, a Southern Baptist Minister and associate pastor of Harrisburg Baptist Church until his death on March 27, 1982, raised their families serving Baptist Churches in Richmond, Guntown, Toxish. and Mantee. Bro. Fitts taught History at ICC and led the Baptist Student Union as well. Ruth was a learned lady and very interested in the education of others all her life. At the age of 40, she began a working career as a pre-school teacher under Headstart under LIFT, Inc. where she was in her Eden. She enjoyed teaching young children, watching them learn to read and write and interact in the world. The Fitts had lived in Tupelo since 1961. Ruth enjoyed her home and large yard, tending her grass, working in her flowerbeds, and gardening up until just a few years ago. A great historian and storyteller through her scrapbooks, reading, clippings and other printed material, the trademark teacher always came through as she underlined something in about everything she kept. She and Bro. Ulvie traveled to all 48 states and she regaled until the end about those trips and her experiences. A devoted Preacher’s wife, she was the oldest member of Harrisburg Baptist Church at the time of her death, a former Sunday school teacher and nursery worker. Her dry wit, lively sense of humor, work ethic and deep spiritual strength were known far and wide and she relished the time spent with her children, their families and her friends.
A graveside service will be held at 2 PM Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at Lee Memorial Park in Verona with her son, Bro. Nathan Fitts of East Heights Baptist Church, officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve their friends.
Ruth is survived by her children, Thomas N. Fitts and wife, Dotsy of Oxford, Joyee Fitts Foster and husband, Steve of Austin, TX, and Nathan Fitts and wife, Tina of Tupelo; 12 grandchildren, Brenda Miller, Benjamin Fitts, Kerry Fitts, Emily Fitts, Molly Fitts and John Thomas Fitts, Scott Foster, Lee Foster, Betsy Marvin, Bradley Fitts, Bethany Fitts, and Bailey Fitts, and their families; 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bro. Ulvie Fitts; her son, Ronald Ulvie Fitts; an infant daughter, Linda Cheryl Fitts; and two siblings, James Murphy and Irene Murphy, and most of her close friends.
The family request memorials be made to East Heights Baptist Church Youth Ministry, 205 Lake St., Tupelo, MS 38804. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
