Annie Ruth Steedley

Annie Ruth Steedley passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, at Baptist Village nursing home in Waycross, Georgia, after an extended illness. Annie Ruth was born on August 11, 1941, in Waycross, Georgia, to Bishop Milton Oscar and Marcella Louise Sweat.

Raised in the Church of God of Prophecy as a child by her parents, she was a life-long member in Fargo, and then in Homerville, when the Fargo church closed.

Annie Ruth met her husband James Thomas (J.T.) Steedley at church in Fargo, Georgia in 1955 and they were married on August 9, 1956. They had two children, Rose and Jamie (James Thomas Steedley, Jr.)

Annie Ruth spent many years of her life serving the Fargo community by wearing many hats. She was a member of and served as president of the Fargo PTA and was a substitute teacher. She was also a school bus driver at Fargo for Clinch County school system for nearly 20 years. To the students who rode on her bus she was known as Ms. Annie Ruth and many have fond memories of her because of her sense of humor and advice she offered them.

She served on the Clinch Memorial Hospital Board and was involved in Clinch County’s development of the community’s First Responders group. She also worked for several years as a Home Health aide in Clinch County with her best friend and nurse, Rosemary Leviton. The two of them brought smiles and comfort to the patients they served.

In 1988 Annie Ruth ran for the office of Magistrate Judge of Clinch County in District 2 and served in that capacity for 20 years. She was on the Magistrates’ regional board and also served as a mentor for newly elected judges by doing hands-on training and sharing her expertise and friendship with them. Towards the end of her career, she was awarded the (Lighthearted Award), an honor bestowed upon her by her peers for her service and fun-loving nature.

One of Annie Ruth’s greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren Sara and Micah. She was also a wonderful Southern cook and anyone who ever sat at her table and tasted her chicken and dumplings, chicken and rice, or ate any of her delicious chocolate brownies never forgot her cooking skills. She left an indelible impression on many people she encountered over the years with the jokes she told, the assistance she offered, or the wisdom she shared.

Annie Ruth is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, J.T., her parents, four sisters, and her precious grandson, Micah Steedley. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rose Marie and Wayne Williams; her son and daughter-in-law, Jamie (James Thomas Steedley, Jr.) and Jamie Douglas-Steedley; and her granddaughter, Sara Marcella Williams.

The family would like to thank her dedicated caregivers for the past few years before she went into Baptist Village nursing home: Elvira Williams, Sheila Henderson, and Judy Pittman. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff of Baptist Village- the nurses, CNAs, the social workers, and administrative staff who always showed great care and compassion to both Annie Ruth and her family.

A funeral service will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, at Fargo Church of God at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Bobby Musgrove, Bob Ellis and Rev. Howard Slocumb officiating. Burial will follow at the Fargo Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 pm until 8 pm at Roundtree Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Steedley, Martin Busscher, Lee Douglas, Bill Ledger, Bobby Steedley, and Kyler Register.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fargo Senior Citizens, 1910 Woodpecker Rt., Fargo, GA 31631 or Clinch Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 516, Homerville, GA 31634.

Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.