Ruth Porter McGuire

October 25, 1930 - June 7, 2020

Ruth Porter McGuire, 89, passed away on June 7, 2020. A graveside service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday at the Gallman Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Crystal Springs is handling arrangements. Ruth was born in Saulsbury, TN, on October 25, 1930. Her family moved to Hazlehurst in the mid-1940s. During her high school years, she was involved in many cultural activities including singing and voice, piano playing, and tap dance. She attended Belhaven College for several years before marrying Billy McGuire in 1948. In their early married years, they lived in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Midway, Kentucky, and Houston, Texas. Upon settling back in Copiah County in the early 1960s, Ruth used her artistic talents while being employed at Karitas and Mississippi Job Corps Center as Arts and Crafts Director. When she was 51, she returned to college and obtained her nursing degree. She was employed as a nurse for many years at the Hazlehurst Clinic, retiring at 81. She was a member of the Cherokee Rose Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Crystal Springs for over 50 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, John William “Billy” McGuire, Sr. She is survived by her son Bill McGuire (Hilda) of Hazlehurst; daughters, Shelley Curtis (Daniel) and Sharon Berch (Bill) all of Gallman; sisters, Ann Miller of Biloxi, Toddy Sanders of Jackson, Berta Laiche of Hattiesburg; 6 grandchildren, Shannon Armstrong, Austin Curtis, Tyler Berch, Anthony Berch, David “Buck” Bourn, and John Paul Bourn; and 10 great grandchildren, Sarah Claire, Harrison, Lily, Jack Henry, Ella, Emily, Jordan, Brandon, Logan, and Natalie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Palmer Home for Children, 2608 Main Street, Columbus, MS, 39701.