TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF RUTH HARDWICK PERRY

A memorial service was held for Ruth Hardwick Perry at McKendree United Methodist Church during their Sunday morning worship hour on March 19. Brother Mike Vest conducted the event. Music included praise songs and two traditional hymns. Brother Mike’s sermon was from the fourth chapter of John about the Samaritan woman at the well. Special praise songs were sung by Jeannie Alexander, Tammy Vest and Hank and Tom Summerford. The Congregation sang two traditional hymns. Jeannie Bramlett Alexander, a niece of Ruth Perry spoke about her and how special she was for her family. More than half the church congregation consisted of family and friends. In the church narthex, Jeannie and others had photos of Ruth, information leaflets about her life, momentos and a registry. Ruth was a long time McKendree member. The family ate lunch together after the service at the Log Cabin Tea Company Restaurant in Hartselle.   A graveside service was held for Ruth Hardwick Perry on Sat., March 18 for family and friends at Herring Cemetery in Massey. Rev. Phil Hardin, pastor at New Life-God’ss Church conducted the service. Ruth spent part of her early years in the Evergreen area at the foot of Parker Gap Mountain. She attended the Old Massey School between Evergreen and Mount Nebo. With several siblings she would stop at a cousin’s home to get warm during bad weather days going to and fro. A graduate of Falkville High School and Alabama College at Montevallo, Ruth encouraged her siblings and nieces and nephews to get a college education. She worked in Birmingham and so did her future husband, Ben Perry from Marengo County. He was loved as a “special brother and uncle”. Ruth enjoyed visiting at her former Massey home at the end of Herring Road. She loved dogs and horses. A few years ago at their annual family get together she rode a horse of her nieces down to Herring Cemetery. Jeannie Alexander and her husband, Phillip had bought the house and farm and named it Wood Rose Farm for Ruth’s parents Woodfin and Rosa Parker Hardwick. Ruth’s last dog, Danny predeceased her by only a short time. She was very generous in giving to her church, McKendree and a church near Foley, Bon Secour and the Gulf. Also to McKendree United Methodist Women, the Falkville Food Bank and Family Resource Center and also the Falkville Public Library. “Ruth was the type who stopped to smell the roses and scattered rosebuds wherever she went.”

The Falkville High School Class of 1957 met on Mon., March 20 for lunch at Oh! Bryan’s. Fourteen enjoyed the food and fellowship and will meet again in June. On Sat., March 25, the Class of 1952 from Falkville High School met for their monthly breakfast at Libby’s Restaurant in Priceville.

The North West District United Methodist Women held an Officers Training session on Sun., March 19 in Decatur. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church hosted the event and Jenny Turney, the District President conducted the training. Jenny is from the Forest Chapel United Methodist Women’s group. Carolyn Besnyl of Massey’s McKendree United Methodist Church attended the meeting. Carolyn is a member of Salem’s United Methodist Women and replaced Elizabeth Vinzant, Salem’s president who was unable to attend. Carolyn was a district officer for many years.

Senior Citizen’s Day at Corinth West Baptist Church was celebrated by members and area residents on March 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brother Glenn McCain, pastor from Mount Vernon Methodist, gave the program and devotional. After a lunch of soups, stews, chili, beans, cornbread, salads, cakes, pies and cookies, everyone enjoyed four bingo games which were called by GayNell Wilhite.