Ruth Phillips Mobley

August 14, 1921 – October 18, 2018

Ruth Mobley, 97, of Birmingham, AL passed away at home on October 18, 2018. She is predeceased by her husband Capt. Charles Hearn Mobley (USAF) and daughter Patricia Ruth Mobley Sheets. She is also predeceased by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Hosie Phillips of Aliceville, AL and her six siblings (Edna Earl Knox, Mary Louise Jones, Anna Brooks Turnipseed, Gena Mae Bonneville, Billy Hosie Phillips and Jack Phillips.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Mobley Acton of Birmingham, her grandchildren Patricia Sheets Tyson (Atlanta, GA), Benjamin Earl Sheets III (Birmingham) and Virginia Acton Schullo (Birmingham). She is also survived by her grandchildren James Wood Tyson, VI (Atlanta), Abigail Brooks Tyson (Atlanta), Charles Millard Schullo (Birmingham), Anna Claire Schullo (Birmingham), Maddie Grace Sheets (Birmingham) and Sarah Kate Sheets (Birmingham) and brother Tommy Phillips (Carrolton).

After graduation in 1940, Ruth married Charles, her high school sweetheart who had enlisted in the USAF. She was able to accompany him during some of his early training assignments and was always available when Charles made a last minute call to bring home buddies for a home-cooked southern meal.

During his WWII active duty, she returned home to Aliceville to help care for her dying mother. She wrote Charles every day while he was away which totaled 882 letters – the number of days they were apart. Charles’ military career took them to the Azore Islands, Texas, Washington State and eventually back to Alabama. While stationed in Spokane, Washington, Ruth was active in Southern Baptist Church planting. They were instrumental in establishing two Southern Baptist churches, which initially met in an Air Force aviation hanger.

Upon return to Alabama, Ruth was an administrative assistant at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. At Dawson, she was an active member, children’s Sunday school teacher and active in her adult Sunday school class. She loved to cook, sew and in her later years was an avid reader.

A private family service will be held at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL. Memorials may be sent to The Patricia M. Sheets Endowed Scholarship c/o the Troy University Foundation, 301 Adams Administration Building, Troy, AL 36082.