Ruth Ellen Gothard age 88, passed away at home surrounded by family on March 18, 2025 after an extended illness. Mrs. Gothard was preceded in death by her husband and lifelong sweetheart, John Roland Gothard, her parents, brothers, sister and son-in-law, Greg Johnson.
Ruth truly was a special person touching many lives through her sweet, generous spirit. She was always ready to help someone and made her home a warm, welcoming place for all those she knew.
Some of her favorite things were traveling, music, getting together with friends and spending time with her family. Her beautiful blue eyes and wonderful smile lit up whenever she spent time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved having her family together for any occasion but Sunday lunch was a favorite time for her.
Ruth was a longtime, faithful member of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church and spent many hours serving her church.
The family would like to give special thanks to the amazing team from Southern Care/New Beacon Hospice who took such great care of our mother and us through this time. Also, we would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Happier at Home who gave such kind, loving care to our mother.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Roger) Crittenden, Cara (Phillip) Fretwell, and Lisa Johnson. Her grandchildren, Megan (Bennie) Pigg, Morgan (Ethan) Hall, Summer Johnson, Ian Johnson and her great granddaughters, Saylor Hall, Caraline Pigg and Cassidy Hall. She is also survived by extended family and close friends.
Visitation will be at Colbert Memorial Chapel from 12:00-2:00 on Saturday, March 22, 2025 with a Celebration of Life directly following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodward Avenue Baptist Church Renovation Fund.
