Ruthi J. Nichols Bess, age 68, of Marengo and formerly of New Middletown, Ohio, went to be with the Lord Tuesday evening, August 14, 2012, at her home following a brief and unexpected illness.
On October 23, 1943, Ruth was born in Lisbon, Ohio, the daughter of the late Robert McCaughin and was raised by her beloved grandmother, Maude McCaughin. She graduated from David Anderson High School in Lisbon, in the Class of 1961.
After working several years in other professions, Ruthi followed her calling of becoming a real estate agent. She owned and operated the Ruthi Nichols Realty Company in New Middletown, and later moving her offices to Marengo, Ohio, and she truly loved everything about helping people find their home.
With a firm belief in her Christian faith, Ruthi was an active member of the Sixteen United Methodist Church in Caledonia, and she was formerly a member of the First Christian Church in New Middletown.
To say Ruthi was an avid roller skater, would be quite the understatement. She loved roller skating “anywhere and everywhere”, and also loved sharing her love of roller skating with others by teaching countless others to skate. She even successfully taught a blind woman to roller skate.
With a love for music, Ruthi enjoyed playing her guitar each and every day, always playing her favorite hymns and other old time songs.
“An eccentric woman”, Ruthi had her own unique way of doing things. She also had a very funny side, enjoying tell jokes and making people laugh.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Jack Bess of Marengo; a daughter, Bonnie Nichols of Virginia; three step-children: Denise (Jim) Boyce of Florida, Mark (Darlene) Bess, and Darren (Connie) Bess, both of New London; 7 step-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Mary F. Dickson of Marion; a brother, Robert (Sue) McCaughin of Kenton; a sister, Deborah Watson of Canton; several nieces and nephews; and a lifelong best friend, Elizabeth Shindelar of Columbiana.
Memorial services celebrating Ruthi’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the Sixteen United Methodist Church, 7759 Morral-Kirkpatrick Rd., Caledonia, OH 43314, with Rev. Pat Fruth officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made in care of the Sixteen United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 148, Iberia, OH 43325.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Ruthi’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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