Ruth and  Wilmer “ Vinegar Bend” Mizell were a very special couple we knew at Franconia Alliance Church in the  1980’s and 1990’s.    As a new believer in Jesus they were such mentors and encouragers. A very blessed friendship!  Ruth also took me to the National Prayer Breakfast and meetings of the Jude’s-Christian Prayer Group.    Just being with her will always be important in my life. She blessed so many and was a wonderful example of one who truly followed in the footsteps of the Lord
Jesus.  

I met Ruth while working for Wilmer D. Mizell at the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She happened to be seated beside him at a Congressional Prayer breakfast and a few days later stopped by our office to drop off a White House Proclamation for him. I insisted to go to his office and visit with him. She reluctantly did so. Well that was the beginning of the romance. She always gave me credit for getting them together but my response was always "it was a divine intervention." The attached photo was taken at a little wedding reception the office staff had for them following their marriage. I have many memories of times spent together. She was a wonderful woman. My sincere condolences to her family. Sincerely, Janie Diehl
Janie Diehl
Friend
September 30, 2021

How sad I am to learn of Ruth’s passing, but rejoice for Ruth knowing that she is now eternally blessed being in Heaven with Jesus and those who preceded her. 
We were blessed by having attended Franconia Alliance Church with Ruth and Wilmer in the 1980’s-1990’s.  - Ruth truly exhibited a Godly character.  She often took me to the Judeo-Christian Prayer Foundation and to the Capitol on tour.  She will be greatly missed.    

Ruth greeted me, handing forth an elegant glass of lemonade & plate of delicious dainties, at an event where I spoke at the American Christian Trust to dignitaries and prayer warriors near Washington DC.  Her outstretched hand was an invitation to decades of a dear friendship with one of God’s great generals.

It was a joy to sing a duet with Senate Chaplain Barry Black at her 90th birthday party, & to pray with the two of them in the dome  of the Capitol building , something she loved to do. We invited Jason Hershy along one time, so she could intervene to save his David’s tent from being closed.

Our “Cape Cod For God “ prayer group & our “GroundZero Prayer Shield Team” were honored & blessed during the sessions when Ruth led us in prayer for our nation & another “Great Awakening”, on conference call via her cell phone. She was an amazing “techie” even in her 90’s!

She loved to share about the power of blood of Jesus with us.

I enjoyed hearing her campaign stories & she was a beautiful Congressional widow that graced every hallway & office of our nation’s Capitol with her intercessory prayers.

Now, her prayers are even greater;” To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!” And what does He do?  “Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us!” So? Ruth is now enjoying the most effectual grand prayer meeting she’s ever been in! Praying for us & America with Jesus- peering over the grandstands of heaven watching & cheering all of us on as we run our race!

Thank you Lord Jesus for my sweet friend, Ruth!


Ruth was a very unique and much-beloved lady.  A woman of prayer, she had power with God.
She prayed for many, and  If you were among those, you were blessed. She loved everyone.  She was sharp, mentally, and a great judge of character.  Ruth was The Matriarch of Prayer on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and far beyond.
Family Research Council honored Ruth in appreciation for her prayers for FRC and the Ministry's staff and Mission with these words: 
For her lifetime of Christian service, her care for people, devotion to America, and love for Israel; For exemplary service as a Values Voter, having helped countless Christians and conservative men and women win public office, people who have legislated and governed with righteousness; For her service as regional campaign chairman for a successfully elected U.S. Senator, a Texas Governor and a President of the United States; for her public service in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush; for her dedicated role as a mother, whose children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoy a family line with five generations who love and serve Jesus Christ; For her extraordinary decades-long ministry as an intercessory prayer warrior and leader on Capitol Hill, as White House Liaison for the American Christian Trust, as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Prayer Embassy and the National Council on Bible Curriculum in the Public Schools; for her service with A.D. 2000, Campus Crusade for Christ, Every Home For Christ, Joni and Friends, Nora Lam Ministries and Capitol Hill Prayer Partners. And in special appreciation for her love, dedication, prayers and intercessions for the staff and mission of the Family Research Council,
We express our  gratitude to God for Ruth Cox Mizell.  Signed: Tony Perkins, Lt. Gen. William Boykin (USA, Ret.), Dr. Kenyn Cureton, Rev. Pierre Bynum.
We will miss you but see you soon in Glory!
Pierre & Christina Bynum

I have known Ruth for many years, she was a mentor to me on Capitol Hill. I remember accompanying her to many events in Washington DC. What a true prayer warrior, a woman that will be truly missed. There is none other like Ruth - her smile, her love for God, and her passion that touched everyone. I was honored to help plan many birthday parties for her, memories I will not forget.  

I was honored to help Ruth write her autobiography in 2005.  It can be downloaded free at www.nationalprayerembassy.org/From Politics to Praise--the Ruth Mizell story.  Romance, adventure, humor and spiritual lessons.  10 pages of photos including her highest level political friends.  I first met Ruth in 1984 at a prayer meeting and was blessed to pray and fellowship with her countless times over the last four decades.  She was a spiritual mother, friend, advisor and encourager to me and many others.  Thank you Jesus for giving me such a wonderful blessing through knowing Ruth Mizell!

Ms Ruth is near & dear to us.  She was responsible for us having  the privilege of being in ministry.  She inspired us, prayed for us, & encouraged us greatly.  We love her dearly.  We are grateful she is worshipping around the throne healed & whole with her Lord & master.  

Remembering Ruth with such love. Her whisper of faith in Jesus encouraged me on so many days and she will be missed.  

I was blessed to know Mrs Ruth since 2014 when we attended bible study at the US Capitol together.  I loved walking out and singing the hymns with her.  As time passed, I would visit her or sing to her over  the phone.  I would often get a call from Kathleen asking for a song for Mrs Ruth and I would drop what I was doing and do a few songs for her.  On the day she passed, I got one of those calls.  On that occasion I would have missed her call because I worked the night before.  I would have normally been sleeping.  But because I had a COVID shot appointment, I was awake to take her call.  I sang a few songs for her at about 1:30 PM.  A few hours later I got the text that she had passed.  I am soooooo glad I got to do one last concert with her before she went on to GLORY!  I will really miss her and those personal concerts!  My heart goes to her family and friends.  She was special.

OBITUARY

Ruth Cox Mizell

September 19, 1922 – March 31, 2021

Demaine Funeral Home

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