Ruthie Mae [Garrett] Franklin was born February 5, 1945 to E.P and Lillie B. Franklin in Blytheville, Arkansas. Ruthie attended Blytheville public schools, where she graduated.

While working in the good old cotton fields of Arkansas, she met her sweetheart and love of her life, Paul Garrett. After dating, he instantly knew she was the one for him and asked her mother if he could marry her – she said YES!

Paul relocated to Michigan and immediately started working hard on getting himself established so that he could "send for his wife". After sending for her, the late Rev. Jessie Burks married them and they became one on April 11, 1964. To this union, three boys and three girls were born.

Ruthie enjoyed cooking, sewing and creating her own style and fashion. She made her husbands' personal clergy robes for him to travel and preach the gospel from city to city and state to state. Ruthie also cherished her family, especially her kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She loved watching old school TV shows, her soap operas (especially Victor Newman) and drinking ice cold Pepsi Cola – in the bottle, not the can! She was a beautiful down to earth shoot from the hip straight talker that always spoke her mind.

Ruthie went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2020. She was preceded in death by: her daughter, Pamela Renee Garrett; her son, Minister Paul W. Garrett, JR. (Aka BOOKIE); her father and mother, E.P and Lillie Franklin; her sisters, Annabel Brown and Dorothy Edwards of Alton, IL; her brother, Johnny B. Franklin of Blytheville, AR; father and mother-in-law, L.C and Lillie Garrett.

Ruthie leaves to cherish in her memory: husband of 56 years, Pastor Paul Garrett Sr.; children, Paula of Mesa, AZ, Don of Battle Creek, MI, Monica (Rod) of Phoenix, AZ, and La'Dontaye of Lansing, MI; two sisters, Lester B. and Genise of Blytheville, AR; twenty three grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; eight sister-in-law's; four brother-in-law's; and lots and lots of nieces and nephews.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rileyfuneralhome.com