Jimmy Ruth

April 11, 1938 - June 2, 2021

JIMMY RUTH Brighton, TN: Jimmy Allen Ruth age 83, passed away June 2, 2021 at St. Frances Hospital-Bartlett. Jimmy graduated from Chester County High School in 1956 as president of his class. After graduation he drove a truck for Jack Johnson and Continental Trailways Bus until his accident in 1963. He also drove for AM&M First Fleet, retiring in 2001. Jimmy worked for Motor Wheel Corporation in Lansing, Michigan, April 11, 1968 until June 30, 1986. While driving for Trailways, one of his greatest accomplishments was driving in 1961 a group of Freedom Riders from A & I (Fisk) University in Nashville, TN to Jackson, MS. His bus driving memorabilia is on display at the Tennessee State Museum. Jimmy was a member of Munford Church of Christ. He was always jolly, never met a stranger and had an amazing memory. Jimmy married Rosie Angel Ruth of Samburg, on April 30, 1967. He is survived by his sister, Ossie Mae Beshires and brother, Bobby Eugene Ruth and sister-in-law, Judy Ruth all of Henderson; step-daughters, Lela Mae DeBord of Brighton, Joyce Amon of Lakeland, FL and Charlotte Ratliff of Fleming Island, FL; also eight step grandchildren, seventeen step great grandchildren and ten step great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-laws, Elsie Brock of Pikeville, TN and Arva Lee Fisher of Milton, FL and brother-in-law, George Angel of Chattanooga, TN. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, O.B. and Reba Mae Graves Ruth and his wife, Rosie Angel Ruth. Step grandchildren will serve as honorary pall bearers. The family will receive friends Saturday, June 5th, 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 8, at Putnam-Reed Funeral Home in Pikeville, TN. The family will receive friends at Putnam-Reed Funeral Home 5:00 PM unitl 9:00 PM on Monday, June 7, 2021. Burial will follow in Blackburn Cemetery, Bledsoe County, Pikeville, TN. Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson 731-989-2421