Ruth (Ruthie Mae) Gavin Alford got her independence from this world on July 4th, 2022, at her home surrounded by family. Ruth was born in Pond Creek, Walton County on January 18th, 1926 to Talla Gavin and Bessie Daughtry Gavin. Ruth graduated as valedictorian from Walton High school in 1944 before marrying the love of her life, Glynn Alford, on September 23rd in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Ruth was affectionately known as "Gigi" and "Gogo" to her grandchildren and as her dementia progressed, she loved to go, pointing out familiar places and commenting about how many houses and people were in these woods.

Ruth is preceded in death by her father Talla Gavin; mother Bessie Gavin; sister Adileen Gavin Alford; and by her husband Glynn of sixty-four years. Ruth is survived by her brother, Thearon (Pick) Gavin; daughter, Cathy Ruth Davis with husband Pat Davis; son Ronald Glynn Alford with wife Janan Alford; and son Kevin Randolph Alford with wife Julie Alford. Grand and great grandchildren are as follows:

Cathy's family- Drew Davis, wife Angela-children Abigail, Lucy; Rachel Crowe, husband William, children- Heath, Bethany and Logan; Becca Greer, husband Blake, children-Molly and Zane; Ron's family, Aubrea Alford; Malia Van Rooy, husband Theo, children-Ari, Evelie, Orsen; Gabriel, wife, Nikki; with children, Moriah; Tanya Alford, and Robert Alford. Kevin's family, Sammy Alford (deceased), wife Alisa; with children and grands, Destiny, Malachi, Quinton, Aaralyn, and Drusus; Laura Alford; Hannah Alford; Saul Alford with children, Jadelynn, Conan, and Saul.

Ruth was a very devout church goer and raised her children along with her husband to love God above all else. She taught Bible studies and enjoyed her friends from Sunday School. She was a loyal wife and followed Glynn during his Navy days and moving every two to three years with his job promotions. She definitely kept the home fires burning and always had a neat and tidy home. Her brother, Pick, said they used to fight like cats and dogs as children but later became best of friends, having coffee and sweets almost every morning for years. Her wonderful caregiver, Mary Hutcheson, relates many interesting stories of Ruth's descent into dementia by countering people's admonition of how sweet she was by saying, "Yes, like a rattlesnake!" Ruth will long be remembered for her longevity, her feisty spirit and her devotion to family.