Ruth Slavico

Ruth Minola Barber Slavico died February 17, 2017 at Columbus Hospice following a brief illness. First child of Lillie Mae and Bonnie Benjamin Barber, she was born in Donaldsonville, Ga on May 23, 1932. After graduating Salutatorian of Seminole County High School in 1948 Ruth relocated to Columbus, Ga. There she met and married her husband of 62 years, Henry J. Slavico, then a Sargent in the U.S. Army. They married on June 12, 1954. She was the loving mother of three children. After returning from a tour in Germany in 1977 they settled in Columbus, Ga. In 1979 she opened The Gift Hut, later to become the Gift Hut Florist. Ruth enjoyed operating her business but what gave her the greatest pleasure was working with her daughters in the store and loving her grandchildren. She deeply loved Jesus and would never hesitate to give Godly advice. She made many friends traveling the world as a military wife, as a member of the Eastern Star, and during her years as a business owner. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Bonnie Croom Barber (Coree). She is survived by her husband Henry J. Slavico (CW 4 U.S. Army retired), a son, Andrew J. Slavico, M.D. (Kathy), daughters Janet Peters and Jodi Thacker, brothers Benjamin Oree Barber (Ruth), John Edwin Barber (Lillian), William Monroe Barber (Faye), E. Willie Barber, and sister Myrna Couty (Wallace), 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Striffler-Hamby from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Funeral service to celebrate her life will be Monday, February 20, 2017 in Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby at 3:00 PM. Burial to follow in Parkhill Cemetery. Flowers are accepted but, donations can be made in her memory to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com or to the American Cancer Society at 1639 Bradley Park Dr., Suite 500 # 379, Columbus, GA 31904. Online condolences and memories can be sent to www.shcolumbus.com for her family.