Ruth Joyce Brown

The spirit of Ruth Joyce Brown, Wilmore, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2025.  Born at home in Eckerty, Indiana, on August 8, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Verna Snider. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Brown, on February 24, 1989.

Ruth lived in Eckerty for the first 35 years of her life, where Keith and Ruth began their family, and also served as singers for revival services, funerals, and weddings, and helped in many ways with a 4-church-E.U.B. circuit and Eckerty Camp Meetings in rural Indiana. In 1969, the Brown family moved to Wilmore when Keith was hired by the Crouse Brothers to help build the seminary gymnasium and cafeteria.

She sought her higher education while in her 30s, and was a 1974 graduate of Asbury College. She taught at Wilmore Elementary School before a term with OMS International (now One Mission Society) teaching missionary children in Colombia. Upon her return to Wilmore, Ruth had a 20-year career working in the periodicals division of the college library before retiring. Her church affiliations in Wilmore included the Community Missionary Church, the Wilmore United Methodist Church, and the Wilmore Free Methodist Church, before retiring to Wesley Village, where she enjoyed Bible study and fellowship with fellow residents.

Survivors include 3 sons: Roger (Patsy) Brown of Lawrenceburg, KY, Ryan (Gayle) Brown of Normal, IL, and Rodney (Teresa) Brown of Nicholasville, KY.  Also surviving are 7 grandchildren: Holly Marsh, Shannon Brown, Beau (Roxanne) Brown, Lauren (Josh) Gibson, Keith (Liz Toms) Brown, Cody (Elizabeth) Brown, and Brittany (Brooks) Hamilton, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Also preceding her passing are a brother and three sisters, and their spouses, Keith (Joan) Snider, Iola (Kenneth) Martin, Louese (Everett) Smith, and Doris (Jim) Kaiser, and two nephews. Survivors include 13 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Betts & West Funeral Home, Nicholasville, Kentucky, on Wednesday, May 14, from 2-4p, with a funeral service to follow at 4p, with Rev. Glen Spann officiating. A graveside service and burial will be Thursday, May 15, at the Wickliffe Cemetery in Wickliffe, Indiana at 11a EDT, with Rev. John Moffatt officiating. An opportunity to visit with family and friends will be afforded at the Wickliffe United Methodist church fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Village Benevolent Fund, 1125 Lexington Road, Wilmore, Kentucky 40390.

An online guestbook is available at www.BettsAndWestFuneralHome.com