Ruth Ann Felton, 79

November 13, 2026

Ruth Ann Felton, age 79, of Walnut, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, November 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services honoring Mrs. Ruth’s life will be held at 1 PM Monday, November 16, 2026, at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Walnut, Mississippi. Visitation will be held Sunday evening, November 15, from 4 PM until 7 PM at the church and will resume Monday at 12 Noon, continuing until service time. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Born in 1947, Mrs. Ruth was the daughter of the late William Darrell and Elois Jones Melton. She graduated from Walnut High School in 1964 and continued her education at Mississippi State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She began her teaching career in Augusta, Georgia, and later taught in Decatur, Alabama, before returning home in 1975. She continued her passion for education at Walnut Attendance Center, where she faithfully taught until her retirement in 2005.

A devoted Christian, Mrs. Ruth was a faithful member of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was also an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary of Gideons International. Following her retirement, she found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, making weekly trips to the library, and helping distribute Bibles to local hospitals, nursing homes, and businesses throughout Tippah County.

Mrs. Ruth will always be remembered for her humble spirit, gentle kindness, and quiet strength. Her life was a beautiful example of Christian faith and service to others. Through her dedication to education, her love for her family, and her unwavering faith, she left a lasting impression on her former students, daughters, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her. She demonstrated through her everyday life the importance of faith, perseverance, education, family, and serving others.

Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband of 55 years, Michael Felton; two daughters, Erin Fiveash (Jason) and Emily Ellison (Beau); one brother, Rickey Melton (Wanda); two brothers-in-law, David Felton (Dixie) and Dick Schott; seven grandchildren, Parker (Madison), Carleigh, Brady, Reid, Karsyn, Ainsley, and Harper; nephews, Eric Melton and Ryan Felton (Beth); nieces, Amy Jenkins (Garth) and Julia (Seth); along with several cousins and dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ruth was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenny and Rachel Felton, and her sister-in-law, Rebecca “Becky” Schott.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Glen Brown, Eric Melton, Troy Shaw, Wesley Cox, Andy Milstead, and Wayne Newsom. Her grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to those who provided Mrs. Ruth with such compassionate care, including Gentiva Home Health and Hospice, Rebecca Hunt, Wendy Knight, Carley Hughes, Cathy Crump, the staff at West Clinic, and her special caregivers, Elaine Panell and Ayla Lipford. Their kindness, dedication, and loving care will always be remembered and appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Gideons International in honor of Mrs. Ruth’s lifelong commitment to sharing God’s Word.

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” — Proverbs 31:25 (KJV)

Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve Mrs. Ruth’s family.

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

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Visitation

Sunday
November 15, 2026
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Mt. Hebron Baptist Church

Walnut, MS

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