Mary Ruth Thurmond Mask, 83

September 2, 1941 – February 21, 2025

“Now that I know a life with you, I never want to know a life without you.”

Only eight months after the death of her forever soulmate, Andy, Mrs. Mary Ruth Thurmond Mask, 83, hand in hand, joined her sweetheart once again in their Heavenly home, after she departed this earthly life early Friday Morning, February 21, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS, as her family stood by her side, waiting to say goodbye.

Services remembering Mrs. Mary Ruth’s life will be at 2 PM Saturday March 1, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11 AM until time of service on Saturday March 1, 2025, at Ripley Funeral Home.

Born September 2, 1941, in Tippah County, Mrs. Mary Ruth was the daughter of the late Johnnie Lou Thomas and Warren T. Thurmond. She received her education from the Wilson Arkansas Public School System, before returning back to Tippah County, where on September 5, 1987, married her beloved husband, Andy Mask, placing their roots in the Blue Mountain Community and raising a family. Blessed with a green thumb, Mrs. Mary Ruth was employed with Tippah County Growers for over twenty years, potting plants, planting seeds and producing various flowers, until her retirement.

A Christian and country girl at heart, Mrs. Mary Ruth posed a loving heart and caring spirit, whose home served as a community serving place year around. The doors were never locked, friends and family had an open invitation to step inside anytime, and she considered all the girls from her daughter’s salon as her own. Her home was filled with love, and the table always full, as she was known for her delicious cooking, as some of the fan favorites consisted of turkey and dressing, she made every Thanksgiving, tea cakes, that tasted just like her mothers, and hot buttered biscuits, which she cooked every morning. A hard worker, who never sat still, Mrs. Mary Ruth loved all the great outdoors. She spent many days working in her yard and garden, planting beautiful flowers, and seasonal vegetables, especially her tomato’s, and nothing brought her more joy than being by her pond, calling out, “Come here babies”, as over twenty ducks would come all at once while she feed them all.

Above all, Mrs. Mary Ruth’s greatest love came from her family. They meant more to her than anything else in this world and not a day went by she didn’t ask about, think about, and pray over all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved having them over for sleep overs, spoiling them any chance she had, and just sitting there, holding and rocking her great grandbabies, as she was so proud to have one named after her. Mrs. Mary Ruth’s love transformed the lives of everyone she encountered. She brought a bounty of beauty in everything she did, with her big smile, generous hospitality, and unbounded love. Although we will miss her deeply, we hold onto the remarkable ability she embodied of connecting with people, and unwavering loving spirit she brought into the world.

Those left to carry on her legacy include one son, Ricky Price (Jackie), one daughter, Cindy Rutherford (Cody), one sister, Gracie Jones, seven grandchildren, Kaylee Rutherford, Ryan Rutherford, Kaitlyn Richardson (Josh), Ashley Carpenter (Joey), Karmen Otts, Hunter Stubblefield, and Daniel Stubblefield, six great grandchildren, Navee, Tate, Lillie Ruth, Kaiden, Jacoby, and Keaton, and her faithful friends and wonderful neighbors, Mrs. Vickie McDaniel and her family, and Doug and Linda Miller, along with a wide circle of family and friends.

In addition to her husband of thirty-six years, Andy Mask, she is also preceded in death by one son, Jason Stubblefield, one sister, Dorothy Shook, and one brother, J.W. Thurmond.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the nurses, surgeons, and staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany and Oxford, for their care, and love shown to Mrs. Mary Ruth, and them during this time.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mrs. Mary Ruth family.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.