It is with great sadness that the family of Ruth Akridge Henderson, 94, announce her passing after a tragic fall on December 20, 2018. She was surrounded by her loving family when she passed. Ruth’s life was filled with joy and laughter. She never lost her sense of humor and always loved a funny story.
Ruth was born June 10, 1924 to Oscar and Clemmie Akridge (nee Jowers) in Ohatchee, Alabama. She was the youngest child of five sisters and one brother who have all pre-deceased her. She attended Ohatchee High School and graduated in 1942. Her ancestry dates back to the 1702 prior to the Revolutionary War.
Her beloved husband of 62 years, Col. Fred Herbert Henderson (USAF Ret) (Herb), pre-deceased her in 2015. They were truly soulmates. Ruth was the rock of her family and guided the family through the numerous deployments and moves required by the Air Force. Her greatest joy was to nourish her family with love and support. After she and Herb retired, she enjoyed going on cruises with Herb and spending summers with Barbara and Roy either on their boat or in Utah or Missouri. She was very active and loved gardening, reading and golf. Ruth also dearly loved her dogs, Crystal and SeaDog.
Ruth is lovingly remembered by her three children, her son Stephen Alan Henderson (Karen), her daughter Barbara Ruth Cawley (Roy), and her daughter Nancy Jean Pfau (Joe). Additionally, she is survived by four wonderful grandchildren, Allison Henderson Crochunis (Jason), Laura Henderson, Erin Passmore (Jason), and Andrew Walls. Her grandson, Alex Walls, pre-deceased her. Ruth has one great-grand son, Tanner Passmore and one on the way with Allison and Jason.
Funeral services and viewing will be on December 27, 2018 at 11:00 at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL. Ruth will be buried next to her husband at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation either online at PWDF.org or at Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, P.O. Box 203, Parker Ford, PA 19457-0203 or to the Hospice of Marion County, PO Box 4860, Ocala, FL 34478.