Rutha Mae (Osborne) Jackson, 83, left this world on Sunday September 29, 2024, in Worthington, Ohio after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Rutha leaves behind her husband and best friend of 65 years, John J Jackson, and their children, Mark Aeron (Julie) Jackson, Hal Scot (Cindy) Jackson and Melanie Evelyn (Gordon) White.

She was preceded in death by their infant daughter, Teresa Elaine Jackson.

Rutha was born to Willie and Hazel (Cox) Osborne on October 26, 1940 in Pineville, Kentucky, and had an older brother, Thomas Ray Osborne. They affectionately referred to each other as Buddy and Sis. She graduated from Bell County High School, Pineville, in 1958.

On April 18, 1959 she married John J Jackson at her parent's home. For a time they ran Jackson's Restaurant on US 119. They became Ohioans in 1965 and lived in Wapakoneta and St Henry before making their home in Coldwater, OH

In the early 1970's, Rutha worked at Hemmelgarn's Eggs in Philothea, OH, followed by a career at JCPenney in Celina, OH, where she worked her way from sales associate to an expert in computerized inventory, often traveling to train staff across the region.

In 2001, Mom and Dad retired, moved back to Laurel Hill and the home Dad was born in. Mom loved her family including her wonderful in-laws, their dog Mollie, Elvis' music, 50's rock and roll, traveling, being a mamaw, bluegrass music, grilled cheese, buttermilk, dancing, and making many friends throughout the years.

She especially loved to laugh and had a wicked sense of humor. She loved to do genealogy research and 25+ years of her questions and answers blanket the Internet. Mom made a mean biscuit, awesome chicken and dumplings and the best pinto beans! Mom disliked snakes (well, she hated those), cold weather, paying extra for car floor mats, seafood, and houseflies. Our hearts will never be the same.

Visitation to be held at Arnett & Steele and Funeral Home, Pineville, KY from 5-8pm on Wednesday, October 2nd.

Funeral services will be held at Powell's Valley Primitive Baptist Association Building on Laurel Hill, Pineville, KY at 1pm, Thursday, October 3rd, Bro. Dan Fitzpatrick officiating. Interment immediately following at Jackson Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Anne Marie Tollett, Jordan Tollett, Jackson Tollett, John W. Jackson, Gary Jackson, Katie Bundy, Zaya Amgaabaatar, Lilah Jackson, Dalton Bundy, Sarah Jackson, Eric Fitzpatrick, Amanda Bush, James Bush, Lauren Bush.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Mom's name to Cotter House (Worthington, OH) at https://cotterhouseworthington.com/donate/or the Alzheimer's Association of America at https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNQZNCYXKB&lang=en-US.