Ruth Malone

Nellie Ruth Malone, 83, of Arkadelphia, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. She was born April 24, 1939, in Rosedale, Miss., to William Henry Malone and Selma Anna Hendrick Malone. Ruth obtained her master's degree from Delta State University. Because of her love for children, Ruth taught elementary aged children in Rosedale. She later obtained her special education certificate and taught in Hampton, Arkansas. Ruth was an accomplished pianist and organist who loved teaching children to play. She gave private lessons in Rosedale and Hampton. Ruth also played the piano and organ for Trinity Baptist Church in Rosedale and Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. Ruth and her brother, Percy, enjoyed an extremely close relationship from childhood until the day she left this earth. For many years, Ruth worked as an accountant in Percy's business, W.P. Malone, Inc. Ruth was known by all to have an eagle eye for any discrepancy and tight rein on expenditures. Percy and Ruth's workdays (and really all days) were filled with loving and playful banter which carried through to her final days in the hospital as Percy riled her up over saying he was going to bring her greens for dinner, which she made clear she did not want. Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Percy and Donna Malone of Arkadelphia; her nieces, Amy (Gary) Malone Norcross of Jacksonville, Fla., and Emily (Jack) Malone Ervin of Fayetteville, Ark.; her great-nieces and nephews, Kathryn (Corey) Norcross Pegram, William Norcross, John Norcross, Zoe Ervin and Hudson Ervin; her great-great niece, Nora Pegram and her great-great nephew, Henry Pegram; her uncle Raymond Hendrick of Greenville, Miss., and cousins Kenneth Lancaster, Martha Reeder, and Beth White. Ruth's visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, from 6-8 p.m., at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia with Brother Greg Lathem and Brother James Gutherie officiating. Ruth's graveside service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at 2 p.m., at New Cleveland Cemetery in Cleveland, Miss. Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Ark., 71923.