Just six days after her 75th birthday, January 18, 2022, RUTHIE ROSS HIETT,
lost her battle with pneumonia, peacefully, her husband and son at her side. Ruthie was born in Fordyce, Ark., on January 12, 1947, to Robert Dale and Wilma Ruth (Roberts) Ross. Her joy for life was obvious from the start. Ruthie embraced life and her enthusiasm was contagious. Energy created among Fordyce friends reflected joy in each other and a deep committed caring that would last a lifetime. In High School Ruthie was a cheerleader, on the student council, acted in drama club, performed with guitar in a girls’ singing group, and was a soda jerk at the family drug store. Ruthie’s classmates voted her Junior and Senior Class Favorite and Miss FHS her senior year.
At Henderson College, Ruthie was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Reddie Ripples, Henderson’s all girl synchronized swim team. It was there she met the love of her life, Harry Hiett. They married in 1968, had one son, Ross, in 1973, and enjoyed 54 lively years together.
Ruthie earned a BA at Henderson and an MA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She taught Social Studies and Psychology at Parkview High School. The pages of history and the study of human behavior came alive in Ruthie’s classes through films, lively discussions and debate. It was impossible to go anywhere in Little Rock with Ruthie without encountering her adoring former students.
Ruthie served as councilor/ advisor, at Camp Anytown in Little Rock, a summer camp for selected students of varying diversities. The camp challenge was to learn about and respect each others differences, changing the world one small group at a time. Ruthie cherished the Anytown influence and the lives it changed. She devoted years of service to PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) helping provide scholarships to deserving women in need.
A long time member of St Paul United Methodist Church, Ruthie taught her Sunday School Class, and organized and taught several Bible Studies to young women and others. She is a co-founder of BRAS Ministry (Bras Received and Supplied) which provides gently used bras to those in need. During the last six years 12,000 bras have been distributed.
Master Gardner Adventures, Book Clubs, Bridge Clubs, and traveling the world with her sister and brother-in-law further enriched her fulfilling life. The time she spent with family brought her such joy, especially her two grandchildren. Ruthie inspired us all to be the best we could be. Her wise, caring, fun-loving spirit will live on in the multitude of lives she touched and the hearts of all who knew her.
Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Wilma Ross, Fordyce, and her brother, Robert Dale Ross, Jr., Gurdon. She will be missed by her husband, Harry Hiett, Little Rock, their son and his family, Ross and Erica Hiett and Hannah and Harrison, Little Rock, her sister and brother-in-law, Mary E. and James Magee, Tulsa, Okla,, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bonnie Ross and Johnny Ray Daniel, Fordyce, a brother-in-law and sister-inlaw, Larry and Martha Sue Hiett, Little Rock, and many nephews and nieces.
Nephew, Pastor Rusty Ross, will conduct a private family graveside service in Fordyce. Later there will be a full memorial service to celebrate Ruthie’s life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Rd., Little Rock, Ark., 72207, 501-666-9429. To sign the online register visit: www.bentonfuneralhome.net.