FULTON - Ruth Valentine Rather, 92, passed away Sunday December 26, 2021, at The Meadows. She was born July 19, 1929, in Laurel, Mississippi, to Columbus Wayne and Leafy Georgia Rush Valentine. She graduated from Laurel High School, attended Jones Junior College and Mississippi State University, and graduated from the Mercy School of Medical Technology. She worked as a lab technician for the Itawamba County Hospital in Fulton for many years. She married V.M. Rather, Jr., on June 27, 1954. She was a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church since 1954. She loved her family and liked to read and play golf and bridge.

Services will be private. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Fulton is in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by two sons, Mark Rather (Allison) of Water Valley, MS, and Chris Rather of Rockwall, TX; one daughter-in-law, Pam Rather of Fulton; eight grandchildren, Chris J. Rather, Laura A. Rather, Jacob T. Rather, Ashley E. Crim, Vic M. Rather, Jr., Alicia Rather Matus, Daniel Rather, and Rush Rather; and three great-grandchildren, Roman J. Crim, Tyler Matus, and Katelyn Matus.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. V.M. Rather, Jr., on September 13, 1969; her daughter, Leslie Rather; one son, Perry Rather; one daughter-in-law, Kim Rather; one brother, Columbus Wayne Valentine, Jr.; and her parents.