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Ruth Alyse Byrd Heath, age 93, passed away April 19, 2022, surrounded by her family in Climax, Georgia. Services for Mrs. Heath will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 23, at Magnolia Baptist Church, 1106 Magnolia Road, Whigham, Georgia.  Rev. Robert Crapps and Rev. Jimmy Ausburn will officiate. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Climax, Georgia. Serving as pallbearers will be Alex Glisson, Craig Josey, Trey Byrd, Eric Gay, Collyn Glisson, and Riley Godwin.  Immediately following the interment, family and friends are invited to lunch at the annex of Magnolia Baptist Church. The family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Friday at the Cadwell Chapel of Cox Funeral Home.

Ruth Alyse Byrd was born July 3, 1928, in Thomasville, Georgia, to Walter Alton Byrd, Sr. and Myrtle Russell Byrd.  Ruth graduated from Climax High School in the class of 1946. Ruth met Charles Heath on a blind date on July 4, 1946, they married September 6, 1946.  It was love at first sight for both. They had 5 children together and 50 plus years of marriage. Ruth was a member of Magnolia Baptist Church for over 48 years. She worked as a Senior Health Service Tech at Bainbridge State Hospital for 23 years. During that time, she received several awards including numerous faithful service awards. A dedicated employee, she maintained all her certifications even after retirement.  She made many life-long friends at Bainbridge State Hospital. Ruth and her husband enjoyed camping and fishing. She loved attending the Climax Golden Agers, Pine Forest Young at Heart, and the Senior Group at Magnolia. She enjoyed working in the yard with her husband. After Charles’s death in 1998, Ruth was happiest while working in her yard and grew beautiful flowers. She did wonderful cross-stitching art that she shared with her family and friends. Ruth Heath will be deeply missed by her loving family and many, many friends.

Mrs. Heath is survived by her children, Donald Heath and wife, Vicky of Brinson, Georgia, Russell Heath and wife, Debbie of Bainbridge, Georgia, Tommy Heath of Climax, Deborah Gleaton and husband, Phillip of Bainbridge, and Susan Josey and husband, Craig of Climax; sister, Mary Ann White of Cairo, Georgia; brother, Walter Alton Byrd, Jr. and wife, Pat of Climax; grandchildren, Jason Heath (Wendy), Caroline Horne (Jeff), Lisa Heath, Heather Davis, Jeremy Hower, Michael Hower,  Maranda Heath, Kellie Gay (Eric), Kimberly Alyse Gleaton, Ashlie Gleaton, Hannah Gleaton, and Sarah Josey: 14 great grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and grandson, Rusty Heath.

On-line condolences may be sent at www.Coxfuneral.net. Cox Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.