Ruth M. Griffith's Obituary
Ruth McLaughlin Griffith passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 28, 2021 at the age of 96. She was a beautiful woman inside and out, was loved by many, and will be deeply missed.
From humble beginnings, she was born in a Cinnaminson, NJ farmhouse on April 20, 1924 to George and Ruth Pierce. A few years later, they welcomed her younger sister Doris and moved to Camden where the two sisters attended elementary school. Ruth was not a big fan of school, other than the social aspect, and was always appreciative of Doris's help with her academics.
At 17, she married the handsome Howard Moore, and they settled briefly in Delair, NJ where they had two loving sons, Howard and George. Around this time, Ruth began her waitressing career at the Calico Kitchen in Camden, where she could be found flashing her fantastic smile that could enliven even the grumpiest patron. Though times were sometimes tough, Ruth knew the Lord as her personal Savior and enjoyed fostering her spiritual journey at the Delair Home Mission. They moved as a family to Palmyra, NJ where she raised her two sons, continued waitressing at Paula's Family Restaurant in Cinnaminson, and attended the Church of the Open Bible in Riverside.
Ruth took much pride in her appearance, learning at a young age how to replicate the fashionable hairstyles and makeup of the Golden Age actresses of her time. For years, she made time every Thursday to go to her sister Doris's house and do their hair in the ever-trendy beehive hairdo. Their children loved this family time, and knew they would have a spaghetti dinner and laugh at the sister’s banter on how to do hair correctly. Ruth's physical beauty was timeless (with just a little help from Oil of Olay); she never looked decades close to her age, and to her delight, she was told this often!
Once Ruth became Nana, she truly began to shine in love and life. Any one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will tell you that Nana was the absolute best. She loved to round them up and take them to Sunday School, out to Woolworth's or Kmart for yarn and treats, for family swim time at Aunt Doris's pool, or to glisten in the sun down the Jersey Shore. Her favorite activity, however, was taking them out for ice cream, where she would declare she was the 'Fastest Tongue in the West' in a challenge for them to eat their ice cream faster than her. She loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally and encouraged them in all that they endeavored. She imparted her wisdom about the sun and proper skin care, taught those interested how to crotchet, and always encouraged them to find joy in every day God gives you as she always did.
As a widow, Ruth found love again at Immanuel Baptist Church in Maple Shade and married widower David Griffith in 1991 at 67 years old. Papa Dave, as he was affectionately known to Ruth's family, loved Ruth deeply and encouraged her to travel with him, and thus took her to Israel to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. They were always out and about, going on a cruise together, visiting family in their Pocono and Vermont homes, laughing with the great-grandchildren at Chuck E Cheese, enjoying the theater shows at Sight and Sound and Keswick, in addition to entertaining often in their lovely home in Mt. Laurel, NJ.
With time, came change and Ruth embraced the changes that would come with God in her heart and family by her side. Predeceased by both of her husbands, Ruth continued to focus on filling up her social calendar with church and family connections. She reluctantly embraced technology and could always be reached on her cell phone, often calling her grandchildren to remind them to upload her pictures with her great-grandchildren from the day’s outing. She loved listening to her Bible app on her iPad, scrolling through pictures on Facebook, learning new games with her great-grands and using FaceTime when visiting was not an option. She continued with her beauty regimen, getting her hair done every two weeks and nails once a month, always in a different shade of pink. The beach still called to her during the summers, though always under the protection of shade. She drove until she was 93, and when she decided it was time to stop, she moved back to Palmyra to live with her son George and her daughter-in-law Ruth.
There is no doubt where Ruth is today, as she was ready to go home with the Lord, always living with God as her compass. She gifted to her dear family and friends countless copies of the daily devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, knowing that hearing this written as a first person created impact to all who read it. Ruth was a proud prayer warrior, hoping that everyone sees her again in Heaven, by asking Jesus to be their own personal Savior.
She taught everyone that the best gift in life is securing your salvation first, then to enjoy the gift of time spent together to fill up our cherished memory banks. Her legacy will forever continue as she signed all of her cards, “God (Jesus) loves you and so do I.”
Ruth was cherished by so many! Dear wife to the late David J. Griffith and the later Howard Raymond Moore. Beloved mother to George Moore (Ruth) and the late Howard R. Moore II (MaryEllen Nixon-Moore) as well as formerly Dottie Diederich (Dave). Loving grandmother to Amy Brady (Tim), Rebecca Flynn (Bill), Tim Moore (Davena), Laurie Marchincin (Randy), Cindie O’Malley (Mike) and Howard R. Moore III (Angela), Evan Nixon, and Alex Nixon. Great grandmother to Madi, Abi, Sierra, Saige, Skyler, Jordyn, Ryan, Michael, Casey, Bailey, Camryn, Howie IV, and Luna. She will be greatly missed by her dear sister, Doris Winter (late Milford), her nieces and nephews: late Guy Haines (late Sandra), Jill Howson (Mark), Gary Winter, and Ditty Mae Jankauskas (Steve), her great nieces and nephews: late Guy Jr, Albert (Stephanie), Chrissy, Ryan, Megan, Gabby, Wyatt, Cara, and Stephen. She gained blessings of more daughter and son in laws through her late husband David: Carol (George) Mackey, Neil David Griffith, Mark Douglas Griffith as well as their extended families. She was also adored by her church family and dear friends. Ruth was affectionately known as Mom, Aunt Ditty or mostly Nana to all.
A gathering of family and friends in celebration of Ruth being called home to the Lord will be held in person on Friday, April 9th at Immanuel Baptist Church of Maple Shade, NJ from 9:00am to 11:00am, with services beginning at 11:00am. Her funeral service will also be live streamed and saved on the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/ruth-griffith-2021. A private burial will follow at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ, alongside her late husband David Griffith. AS PER RUTH’S REQUEST, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 6 S. Poplar Ave, Maple Shade, NJ 08052 or https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/341887. Thank you and God bless!
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