Mrs. Ruthie Jo Tew

Ward Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory

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Posted by: Ward Wilson
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Date: Jun 27 2024 1:20 PM

Ruthie Jo Tew (Barkley) of Dothan, Alabama passed away 26 June 2024 in her home at the grand old age of 89.

 Ruthie was born in Dothan in December 1934, and attended Dothan High School. In high school, friends introduced her to a handsome Rehobeth High School student named Max Tew. They fell madly in love and married in 1954. That loving marriage would last for the next 70 years. Max and Ruthie decided that they wanted a life in the United States Air Force, so as a young married couple, they began their globetrotting adventure. Little did Ruthie know that journey would begin in the badlands of west Texas, quite a shock to a small-town girl from Alabama. She would follow Max to assignments in Florida, Japan, The Philippines, Louisiana and South Carolina.

Ruthie would do a marvelous job of raising three sons and one daughter along the way. She would have a multitude of jobs throughout her life, but gave up the chance at a career to support her military family. The life of a military spouse can be filled with the stress of separation and doubt, but she overcame that by filling each new home with love, fun and adventure for the whole family. After the military, Max wanted to continue to explore, but Ruthie so loved the Wiregrass that she convinced him to come back to Dothan, building a home that the family lived in for the next 50 years.

 Ruthie is preceded in death by her husband, Max, who passed away just two weeks ago. As a military spouse, Ruthie lovingly followed Max around this world. So, it is not surprising that she did dutifully follow him into the next world as well.

Ruthie is survived by her sister Alice Brackin of Jacksonville FL, her sons Phil (and Polly) Tew of Nashville TN, Ty (and Cathy) Tew of Slocomb AL, Scott Tew, Colonel, USAF (ret) (and Nancy) of Fort Worth TX, and daughter Tina (and Tommy) Dixon of Lynn Haven FL. She has 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She passed in the home she helped build, surrounded by family and friends/caregivers, Aaron Tew, Polly Tew, Revonda Sawyer, Orena Balles, Nastassia Thomas and the staff from Gentiva. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make a donation to your local hospice. Hospice supported Ruthie and Max greatly in the last stages of their lives.

Funeral Services for Ruthie Tew will be held at 10:30 A.M Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Scott Tew officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery, Memory Hill. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the start of the service.

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