Ruthie "Sassy" Mobarak

With hearts heavy but full of gratitude for a life so beautifully lived, we remember and celebrate Ruthie Alene Fields Mobarak — “Sassy” to those lucky enough to know her well. Ruthie passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 64, surrounded by the love she so generously gave to others throughout her life.

Born on January 4, 1961, in Tampa, Florida, Ruthie’s story is one of strength, perseverance, and unwavering love. As the first in her family to graduate from both high school and college, she set an example of courage and ambition. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Faulkner State and a Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham — launching a career that would span more than 30 years in pediatric dentistry. But her real work was done in the comfort she gave, the smiles she nurtured, and the trust she earned from countless children and families who saw her not just as a hygienist, but as a gentle, reassuring presence.

To her family, Ruthie was a constant — a light that never dimmed. She loved without limits and gave of herself with open hands and a joyful heart. She danced in kitchens with her grandchildren, sang out loud to favorite songs, planted flowers that bloomed like her spirit, and found delight in every Alabama home game with her beloved husband, Victor Mobarak.

To her grandchildren — Bentley Rose and Salter Fields — she wasn’t just a grandmother. She was “Sassy.” Their co-conspirator, their dance partner, their safe place. With her, weekends became adventures, simple days became sacred memories, and childhood was made magical.

Summers were marked by family trips to Perdido Key, where she soaked in the laughter, the salt air, and the sound of waves — all wrapped in the warmth of her loved ones. And in every season, she found time to tend to her vibrant flower beds, each bloom a reflection of her bright, giving soul.

Ruthie is survived by the love of her life and husband of 12 years, Victor Mobarak; her treasured son, Walter Clarence “WC” McDaniel III and his wife Katie; her cherished grandchildren, Bentley Rose and Salter Fields; her devoted brothers Joey and David Fields; half-brother Robbie Fields; and her father, Robert Manning.

She now rejoins those she missed so deeply — her mother, Doris Irene Cowan; sister, Sandra Fields Morgan; brothers Samuel, Jackie, and Paul Fields; and half-brothers DeWayne and Charlie Manning — where we imagine there is already a garden blooming and music playing.

Ruthie was the heartbeat of her family, the soul of her home, and the kind of woman whose love could be felt in a glance, a touch, or a laugh. Her legacy is not just in the memories she made, but in the way she made others feel — seen, known, loved, and safe.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to plant something beautiful, share a dance with someone you love, or simply be kind — in her honor. Because that’s how she lived: full of grace, full of joy, and full of love.

A visitation for Ruthie will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124, followed by a celebration of life at 1:00 PM. A committal service will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery.