Ruth Machen Love

Born on June 5,1933 in Gadsden, AL, Ruth grew up in the Ashville area and attended Ashville High School where she met the love of her life, Jerry Love. Their marriage in 1949 began a 67-year partnership rooted in love. Ruth lived a life marked by devotion to her family and her faith.

Ruth and Jerry lived many years in the Hueytown community raising a son and daughter, Greg and Beverly. There they enjoyed square dancing and supporting their children in school events. They returned to the Shoal Creek Valley area of Ashville on weekends to share a love of watersports with family and friends. In 2005 Ruth and Jerry returned to Shoal Creek where they enjoyed retirement on the lake reunited with friends and family from their youth.

Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her family will remember her as a steady, loving presence - gentle, faithful, and full of quiet strength. She had a creative spirit and found joy in working with her hands. She loved baking, sewing and crochet, creating pieces that will continue to be cherished by those who knew her. Her baby blankets, booties and afghans are still favorites to so many family and friends. Later in life, she discovered a passion for acrylic and watercolor painting, expressing her creativity in new and beautiful ways.

She was a member of Greensport Baptist Church and it’s Joy Sunday School Class. While living in Hueytown, she was an active member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. Ruth’s faith was always central to who she was.

She dedicated many years of service to Auburn Engineering Service and Bessemer State Technical College where she worked as the school registrar until her retirement, earning the respect and appreciation of colleagues and students alike.

Ruth’s life was a testament to faith, love, and quiet service. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Ruth is predeceased by her husband, Jerry Love, and her granddaughter, Shea Vines Headley.

She is survived by her son, Greg (Andrea) Love; granddaughter, Alesha Love (TK); grandson, Brock (Jordyn) Love, great-granddaughter, Lyla Love; daughter, Beverly Love; grandson Latt (Amina) Vines; granddaughter, Hope (Nate) Fox Love; great-granddaughter, Carmen (Ethan) Newsome; great-great-grandchildren, Hayes and Marlee Newsome; and great-granddaughter, Kaci Love. She is also survived by her sister, Rachel (Hoyt) Minyard and sister-in-law, Joyce Sanders; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Gadsden Health and Rehab Center and Enhabit Hospice for their kindness, care and love.

A visitation will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm, both at Greensport Baptist Church in Ashville, AL.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Greensport Baptist Church Building Fund in her name.