Several years ago, one of Union’s most treasured residents passed away. She was one of the best examples of a kind, Christian woman who cared for her friends, family and community. She also wrote article for the paper as well, and many people loved her writing. In fact, when I was a young child, I remember sitting in church with my mother while Mrs. Ruth sat in front of us. She would always give me peppermints and asking how we were doing. Every time we had to miss church for any reason, she would always inquire about us to make sure we were alright. Mrs. Mary Ruth Crenshaw Mills passed away on Nov. 20, 2012, and Union lost one of its most treasured residents.
Mrs. Ruth was born on Nov. 20, 1924 in Neshoba County. In her early life, she lived through the Great Depression and World War II. Mrs. Ruth worked in Union as a bookkeeper for the Kemper-Newton Regional Library System and frequently did volunteer work in the local Union community. She was also extremely active in The First Baptist Church of Union and all its activities. Mrs. Ruth would also play the piano for weekly church services at local nursing homes, and she wrote the local news column for “The Newton County Appeal” for around 40 years. She wrote her last newspaper column the day before she passed away.
In addition to all of her church and volunteer work, Mrs. Ruth dedicated herself to the restoration of Boler’s Inn by joining the group that initiated the restoration effort. In fact, Mrs. Ruth was the great-great granddaughter Wesley Boler, the first owner of Boler’s Inn. She was also a member of the Daughter of the American Revolution through Wesley Boler’s lineage. Because of all her church and volunteer work within the community, Mrs. Ruth was frequently named “Citizen of the Year” even until late in her life.
Mrs. Ruth Mills dedicated her life to the betterment of Union and the surrounding communities. She loved her family, friends, the members of her church, and everyone in her community. When she wrote columns for “The Newton County Appeal,” she would write columns about the activities of the citizens of Union. For instance, she would write about family vacations or if two citizens of Union got married. She would write about the everyday actions of the local residents, who each have a unique life and history that is all their own. If anyone would like similar columns about these things, please contact me with information for an article. The world needs more people like Mrs. Ruth Mills. She was one of Union’s most treasured residents and will always be remembered fondly.
