Miss Gladys Ruth Shaffer passed away at the age of 95 at Vaiden Community Living Center on Saturday, April 20, 2024. She was born on March 16, 1929, and lived in the Bethlehem Community in the home in which she was reared until the last two years of her life. Miss Gladys Ruth graduated from Big Black High School in 1948 and went to work as a telephone operator for AT&T. Following her retirement from BellSouth, she was a very active member of Bethlehem Methodist Church. She served for many years as the communion steward. She served on various church committees and was always ready to lend a hand with whatever needed to be done at the church. Miss Shaffer also actively participated in the Telephone Pioneers volunteer organization and the United Methodist Women’s Club.
Miss Gladys Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, William Henry and Jessie Clyde Shaffer; her brothers, William Henry Shaffer, Jr., Jack Shaffer, and Morris Shaffer; and her nephews, Ronnie Shaffer and Eddie Shaffer. She is survived by her nephew, Michael Shaffer of Athens, GA. and her great niece, Christy Summitt of New Roads, LA.
Services were held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at Bethlehem Methodist Church with burial immediately following in Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 2:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. The Rev. Janie Mortimer and the Rev. Neville Vanderburg will perform the ceremony. Pallbearers were Billy Chesteen, Mark Carwile, Bailey Carwile, Frank Weed, Bill Vail, and Robert Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were her church family.
Memorials can be made to Bethlehem Methodist Church Memorial Fund or Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 606 Bethlehem Church Rd, Kilmichael, MS 39747.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com
