Ruth P. Phillips

Ruth Pauline Phillips, 85, of Uhrichsville, passed away on January 8, 2022 at Park Village Southside, New Philadelphia. Daughter of the late Amasa Alonzo and Lucille (Ross) Phillips, Ms. Phillips was born September 19, 1936 in her grandparents’ home at Westchester, Ohio. She was well known in the Twin Cities as a Claymont Junior High School social studies teacher for 35 years.

Ruth grew up at Pioneer Farm on Friendly Ridge near Tippecanoe, and graduated from Freeport High School in 1954. She graduated from the Ruth Brant School of Nursing, Martin’s Ferry, in 1957, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The Ohio State University in 1960.  Ruth worked as an RN in the University Hospital operating room in Columbus while studying for her Bachelor of Science degree in Education which she received from OSU in 1965. She earned the Master of Education degree from Ashland University in 1990. Ruth returned to the family home in 1965 to care for her aging parents and joined the Claymont faculty, where she taught mathematics for a year before being assigned to her favorite subject, history. Generations of local families fondly recall being in Ms. Phillips’ class. Until retirement in 2000, Ms. Phillips taught history, government, geography, and computer skills. Known for her sharp wit, Ruth loved middle school students, and had no qualms about having the noisiest classroom at the school. She reveled in a good joke and kept secret for years her authorship of Mini-Course #4.

Ruth moved to Two Acres, her home in Uhrichsville, in 1986 with her mother and English bulldog, Jelly Bean. She adopted and nurtured numerous visiting cats and fed the birds, deer, turkeys, and other wildlife that enjoyed the bounty of her bird feeders. The story of Henny Penny, a red chicken that appeared in Ruth’s yard one day is recounted accurately by Lorena Nattress in The Brave Little Red Chicken published in 2018 and still available through Amazon. Ruth loved to entertain, hosting annual White Elephant parties and gatherings for birthdays, dominoes, and euchre; she welcomed all who dropped in unannounced with a meal and dessert. Her cookbook collection rivaled those of bookstores and libraries. Ruth read and traveled widely. On the occasion of Ruth’s retirement in 2000, a colleague surprised her with a fantasy come true, a ride to school in the sidecar of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. In the following two decades, Ruth traveled in the US and abroad, took up painting at the Uhrichsville Public Library, enjoyed line dancing, and joined the Freeport Public Library book club. She was a member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, the Farm Bureau, and the Tuscarawas County Senior Center. She supported numerous charities including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Carter Center, Joel Osteen Ministries, and the World Wildlife Federation.

Ruth found true joy in giving. She encouraged those around her to find goodness in life and excel. She was proud to have contributed to the development of friends, family, and students.

Ruth was preceded in death by her brother, Ross Alonzo Phillips, and sisters-in-law, Vincenza (Sgandurra) Phillips and Mary Lee (Misner) Phillips. She is survived by two nieces, Linda Phillips (Kenneth McFarland) and Marie Phillips (the late James E. Smith); four nephews, Rodney A Phillips (Nancy), John A Phillips (Juanita Young), Alan A Phillips (Cheryl Fowler), and Mark A Phillips (the late Lori); grandniece, Jessica Sprinkles (Tim); grandnephews, Nicholas A. Phillips and Ross W. Phillips; great-grandnieces, Madeline and Elliana Sprinkles; and maternal cousins, Ernest E. Ross Jr. (Jill) and Betsy Paster (Les). The family is grateful for the many friends who continue to provide support and comfort. Special thanks to Ruth’s caregivers of the past year, Sarah and Diane, for their kindness and devotion, as well as to Crossroads Hospice, Park Village Southside, and Schoenbrunn Healthcare. In keeping with Ruth’s wishes, no services are planned. Charitable contributions honoring her memory may be made to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Suite E, Uniontown, OH  44685, in lieu of flowers.