Mrs. Ruth Hazel Pridgett (nee Reid) was born March 23, 1919 in St. Louis, MO to Henry Reid and Ada Morton Reid. She was the eldest of ten children, and was always a part of the rearing of her younger siblings who looked to her as a second mother. The family moved to Ohio in 1920 causing Ruth and her siblings to be raised in Hamilton, OH and educated in Hamilton City Schools. Ruth came of age during the Great Depression, an experience that stayed with her for the rest of her life, teaching her the centrality of family and the values of frugality, hard work and resiliency, qualities that she would pass on to all her family.

Ruth married Eugene Franklin Pridgett Sr. in May of 1940 and of that union they had three children, who were raised in Hamilton. Ruth was always very involved in the church, serving as the Superintendent of Sunday School, a member of the Missionaries, and a member of the Courtesy Guild while attending Second Baptist Church for many years. Later, she and her husband Eugene became members of Pilgrim Baptist Church. During the 38 years she was a member, she faithfully attended the Adult Sunday School class and spent several years serving as a member of the Widows Club after her husband's passing in 1987.

Outside of church, Ruth was always attentive to keeping her home lovely and was an avid gardener. She kept a beautiful flower garden and raised various vegetables in her yard, where you could often find her on nice days. Ruth believed in hard work, both in raising her family and steadily working alongside her husband outside of the home.  Though stern at times, Ruth was a loving and caring woman who enjoyed spending time with her family.  In her lifetime, Ruth was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. Many people, both family and beyond, looked to her as a role model.

Ruth was called home to her glory in the early hours of September 7, 2018.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Pridgett Sr.; sisters Geneva Lewis, Dorothy Sears, and Beatrice Dillingham; her brothers David, Earl, Henry, and James Reid Sr.

Ruth is survived by her sisters Julia Reid and Sarah (James) Lewis, both of Hamilton; her three children, Brenda (Leonard, deceased) Brown of Hamilton, Sonja Pridgett Moore of Hamilton, and Eugene (Bernita) Pridgett Jr. of Fairfield. In addition, she is survived by six grandchildren Lei-Ling Brown of Hamilton, Eugene (Rebecca) Pridgett III of Dayton, Duane Moore of Hamilton, Miyoshie (Lee) Jenkins of Hamilton, Brandon (Danielle) Pridgett of West Chester, and Vannessa (Robert) Maxwell of West Chester; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Monday, September 17, 2018, at the Pilgrim Baptist Church,  711 S. 4th Street, Hamilton  (45011).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1602 Greenwood, Hamilton, Ohio 45011.

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Walker Funeral Home, 532 South Second Street, Hamilton, Ohio (45011)  is serving the  Pridgett family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.