Mrs. Mary Ruth Childress, age 91 of Mount Airy went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mrs. Childress was born on December 8, 1934, in Surry County to the late Alphonzo and Effie Calloway Thomas. Mary Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, helping others, singing, playing the piano, painting, puzzles, coloring, talking about the old days and the color pink. Her favorite Bible chapter was Psalm 91 and favorite song was Mary Did You Know. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Surviving are her children, Steve Childress (Cathy) of Mount Airy, David Childress (Jenny) of Mount Airy, Cheryl Childress Barkman (Mike) of Carolina Shores, NC; eight grandchildren, Tim Childress (Tonya), Kristi Strickland (Dustin), Wendy Mills (Dylan), Haley Miller (Hagen), Julie Abbey (Mitchell), Luke Childress (Amy), Matthew Barkman, Lauren Barkman; sixteen great-grandchildren, Kyle Childress, Hunter Childress, Madelyn Strickland, Kaylee Strickland, Corbin Mills, Ellie Mills, Hudson Miller, Graham Miller, Jack Miller, Baby Boy Miller, Lainey Abbey, Isla Abbey, Nora Abbey, Mallie Abbey, Charlie Childress, Baby Boy Childress; along with several nieces and nephews. Her sister-in-law and best friend, Bonnie Bowman and special niece, Penny Willard, was dearly loved by Ruth. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Childress was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Childress, a sister, Pauline Thompson Hester; and two brothers, Fred Thompson and Ralph Thompson. A funeral service will on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Ivy Green Baptist Church with Reverend Bill Watson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Ivy Green Baptist Church from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home at 945 Zephyr Road Dobson, North Carolina 27017 for the wonderful care given by their staff.