Ruthie Hamrick Bottoms, age 71 of Athens, GA passed July 15, 2024.

Ruthie Hamrick was born in Lithia Springs, Georgia. She is the 11th of 14 children of Maime and William Hamrick. She was blessed with a large personality and a mischievous spirit. In 1977 Ruthie joined the U.S Airforce and became the first female aircraft mechanic on the flight line at Hollowman Airforce Base in Alamagordo, New Mexico. While there she was responsible for launching, recovering, and repairing two aircrafts on base. For many years afterwards she was a manager for a Decatur Waffle House and became a staple face of the restaurant. Two things could be assured when you met the woman known to all as Nana: one you get the world's best hug, and two she had a new joke to tell you.

Ruthie Mae Hamrick Bottoms was preceded in death by her mother, Maime Hamrick; her father, William Hamrick; her husband, John Benjamin Bottoms Sr., and several of her beloved brothers and sisters.

She is survived by: her partner, Don Yelliott; numerous loving family members including her sisters, Sherri Hysmith and Becky Holcombe as well as her brothers, Bud Hamrick, Bill Hamrick and Nathan Hamrick. She is also survived by her children: Raina and Eugene Chavis, Josh and Kathy Smith, Simon Smith, Sarah Smith, John and Christy. From her children, Ruthie is survived by her grandchildren: Chesna and Brandon Kraatz, Nicholas Chavis, Carter and Alyssa Chavis, Cardynal Chavis, Tony Smith and Ashleigh Alder, Zack and Logan Smith, Joseph Smith, Roman Smith, Dakota and Christina Teal, Yiska Arebella, Christopher Smith, Tyler Bottoms, Brittni Bottoms and 8 great grandchildren. Lasty, Ruthie is survived by a small town's worth of cousins that will miss her dearly.

The family is hosting a celebration of her life on July 27th from 12-5 in Lilburn Georgia at the home of Brandon and Chesna Kraatz.