Sister Ruth Nelson Foxworth Obituary

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 at Bay Medical Center in Panama City, God in his infinite wisdom plucked his beautiful rose, Sister Ruth Nelson Foxworth, from this earth and took her home to live eternally with Him in glory.

Sister Foxworth, 87 of Port St. Joe was born on Dec. 23, 1922 in Apalachicola, FL as the fourth of eight children to the late Phillip and Lillian Nelson. Ms. Ruth was educated in Franklin County, where she met and married the late Joseph Foxworth, Sr., and moved to Port St. Joe many years ago. She later joined Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church under the pastorialship of the late Elder G.H. Wilson. Sister Foxworth loved her church and served faithfully as a member of the Matrons Auxiliary. She was also a loyal member of the Community Outreach Jolly Seniors.

Throughout her life, Mama Ruth as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and others, was a compassionate sister, a loving mother, and a caring and “doting’ grandmother. She was predeceased by her parents Mr. and Mrs Phillip Nelson, her husband, Mr. Joseph Foxworth, Sr., her siblings Rita Speed and Freddie Maynard Nelson and her daughter, Dorothy Foxworth Lauria.

Those left to cherish her memories and mourn her passing are, her children,, Lillian Thompson of Port St. Joe, Rita Stephens of New York, Joseph Foxworth, Jr., of Port St. Joe, Vera Mitchell of Ft. Myers, and June Smiley of Port St. Joe; her sibling, Mattie Speed of Arizona, Willie Speed of Apalachicola, Phillip Nelson, II of Texas, Doris Spritz of New York, and Robert Nelson of Mississippi; her grandchildren, Janet, Barbara, Joyce, Patriala, Tara, Michael, Sherry, Roosevelt, Mack, Antonio, Tan, Joseph, Donell, and Jayla; 34 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; two god-children; and a host of other relatives and caring friends.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. ET Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 at Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church. Interment followed in Forest Hill Cemetery.

All services are under the direction of the Comforter Funeral Home.