Ruth Elizabeth Simmons Bussey passed away at home in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Thanksgiving Day, 2022. She was 98 years old. Born on May 18, 1924, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Charles Henry and Matilda Simmons.
She was a registered descendant of the Pilgrim, Moses Simmons, who arrived to Plymouth Colony in 1621. Ruth completed the requirements of New Bedford Public Schools and went on to graduate from Howard Seminary. Later, she attended Arcadia University and Katharine Gibbs College.

She was married on April 28, 1945, to Floyd Robert (Bob) Bussey, a flight officer. The two met in 1939 while in high school, when Ruth froze in front of the French class during her presentation. She was ridiculed and Bob came to her defense. From then on they were inseparable.

During the war, Bob was in college at the University of Michigan and decided to join the service versus being drafted, in order to go into the Army Air Force. So, he and Ruth got married and traveled to Hammer Field Base, Fresno, California, where Bob started his flight training. One cool crisp evening, Bob and Ruth were sitting out by the pool at the Officer's Club listening to Benny Goodman's Band play as they sipped champagne out of a Dixie cup. Bob leaned over to Ruth and whispers in her ear, "Ruthie, do you realize it may never get any better than this?" Looking back, they decided that their experiences while living on that base had been some some of the best times of their lives.

After the war, they moved back to Michigan so Bob could finish is education, achieving a Master of Science in Geology. In 1954, they moved to Louisiana, eventually settling in New Orleans with their three children. Bob died on November 18, 2022, just six days prior to Ruth. They had been together 84 years.

Ruth was active in community and social organizations, including the twenty-five years she dedicated as a volunteer at the Hermann Grima Historical House in the French Quarter. In addition, she was a member and volunteer of Spring Fiesta, a charter member of the New Orleans Geological Auxiliary, a member of the Fleur de Lis Garden Club, as well as neighborhood groups such as 2 ^nd Thursday and Home Demonstration. Ruth was a lifetime member of the Episcopal Church, attending St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Algiers while in New Orleans.

She is survived by his daughters, Jill Bussey and Jane Bussey Terry, son, David Hamilton Bussey, a son-in-law, Mark Andrew James Terry, daughter-in-law, Laura Jane Drew Bussey, three grandchildren, Jillian Simmons Terry, Chelsea Jane Bussey, George MacPherson Terry, and great-grandson, Connor Storie Bussey.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, December 2, 2022 at Historic Gulf Cemetery; South County Highway 393, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 with Bishop Steven Miller officiating.

Flowers are being accepted.