A Celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will be in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Kerley officiating. The family will greet friends from 12:30 p.m. to service time at the funeral home.
Ruth was born in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late Orie G. and Beatrice Vandergriff. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Harold Sawyer. Ruth was an active member of Pine Forest Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School teacher and various committees throughout the years. She previously served at Tabernacle Baptist Church as secretary and church hostess. As featured in Southern Living Magazine, Ruth will be remembered for 25+ years as a 3rd street park Cherry Blossom ice cream “pink” lady. She was a devoted and loving mother, mimi and sister.
She is survived by her, children, Chris (Ann) Kerley, Ginger Gochenour and Sirena Fritz, grandchildren, Kyle and Brandon Gochenour, Jarred (Caitlynn) Kerley, Jordan Kerley, and Jackson, Bella, and Brayden Fritz, sisters, Delores (Wilbourne) Markham of Chattanooga, TN, Dot Evans of Knoxville, TN, and brother, Jim (Becky) Vandergriff, of Knoxville, TN and numerous nieces and nephews.
