Ruth Ledbetter Southall was born July 1, 1921 to Allen Lafayette Ledbetter and Joe Anna Burk. She was one of eight children second to the youngest. Her younger sister, Christine Deming is still living in Nevada. The family moved to Washita county Oklahoma in 1928. She was active in girls sports and played basketball at Rocky High School in Rocky Oklahoma. Through friends she met and then married Glen Gibson Southall in 1939. Glenn passed away January 14th 1988 after 48 years of marriage. While they never had children, she focused her love and attention on 12 nephews and nieces. Visiting and keeping in touch with family was an activity she continued to enjoy. Four nephews preceded her in death but descendants of the 12 now number 91. She actively engaged in keeping those family relationships current until the last.  In 2018 she moved back to Arkansas to the Bungalows of Springdale. There the home and family helped her celebrate her 100th birthday last year. The Mayor proclaimed it her day and she was featured on TV and the newspaper. When the mayor asked her what she attributed her long life to she answered, " I try to be satisfied wherever I am".

She will be returned to California and be buried next to her husband Glen, just blocks from their home of over 45 years. Graveside services will be at 10:00 A.M., July 20, 2022 in Tulare District Cemetery, Tulare, California.  Local arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas 72762.