Ruth Ann Ludwig

The good Lord lovingly called Ruth into His presence on June 27, 2025 from The Woodlands, Texas where she had resided since March, 2020. Ruth was born on July 28, 1938 to Russell and Mildred Smith in Peru, Indiana, the eldest of two daughters.

In 1956, Ruth graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She married her dearest love, Charley, on June 29, 1957 at the Fort Wayne Gospel Temple. They moved to Richardson, Texas, where their first daughter Gretchen was born in 1959 and five years later moved to Fort Worth where Karen was born in 1964. Charley fought bravely through a long illness with many surgeries and treatments and passed away August 1, 1981. After Charley’s death, Ruth’s goal was to complete her college degree and ensure that her daughters completed theirs. She was very proud of her girls and their families.

Ruth went on to graduate with honors from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Music Degree and then earned her Certification in Generic Special Education from Texas Woman’s University during her Masters’ studies. She went on to teach Special Education at Handley Middle School in Fort Worth for several years before retiring. Ruth was the organist and pianist at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Fort Worth for 35 years where she was also an active member. She later became the Music Director at Asbury United Methodist Church in Haltom City.

Ruth was a member of The Six Flags Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), where she served as an officer, The Governor Thomas Hinckley Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, The Society of Indiana Pioneers, The Miami County Historical Society, and The Oaks and Acorns Garden Club of Grand Prairie. Ruth enjoyed gardening, genealogy, reading, playing bridge, and keeping up with her many friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Philip Ludwig; mother, Mildred Doud Smith and father, Russell William Smith.

She leaves behind daughter, Gretchen (David) Mills; grandsons, Conrad (Morgan), and Trent; and great granddaughter, Margot; daughter, Karen (Ron) Lawrence; granddaughters, Brittany, Kiersten, and Natalie; and great grandson, Luka. Other survivors are sister, Peggy (Michael) Discoe; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Evans; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.