Ruth G. (Mayes) Phillips, 83, formerly of Paris, passed away on January 17, 2026, at StoneBridge Oak Tree in Jefferson City, MO.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at New Hope Church, 11535 Audrain Road 973, Centralia, MO 65240. Rev. Donna Scott will be officiating and burial will follow at the New Hope Cemetery.

Ruth was born on October 19, 1942, to Forrest Glen and Mildred (Peters) Mayes and was raised in Mexico, MO. She was a 1960 graduate of Mexico High School. She worked at the Florsheim Shoe factory until it closed. Then she started a career in foodservice working as a cook at the Monroe Manor in Paris, MO. She continued her career as a registered dietitian for the Moberly School system. Later returning to Mexico to work at Bunge Foods in the Quality Assurance department. After her retirement from Bunge, she worked as a store clerk at the local grocery store in Paris. She was always working somewhere and was always ready to go shopping at any craft and fabric store (her favorite was Ben Franklin). She was an avid seamstress, making clothes for the family, crocheting afghans as gifts for family and friends, and worked on some quilting projects.

She always enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and enjoyed visiting with friends over a good game of cards.

She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Able (Roger) of Jefferson City, MO and Vivian Ragsdale of Mexico, MO; four grandchildren, Gavin and Ashley Ragsdale both of Mexico, MO, Abby Able of Holts Summit, MO, and Marcus Able of Jefferson City, MO; three great grandchildren, Nicole Mattox, Kinsley Ragsdale, and Carter Ragsdale; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two older sisters, Alvirda Harrington and Delores Pearson; an older brother George Mayes; and her adopted son, James Ray Lockwood.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the New Hope Church and Cemetery.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the New Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.