The funeral services for the late Mrs. Ruth McCrary Lumpkin, who departed this life on Saturday, September 13, 2025, will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. from the Jones Chapel AME Church, Sylvester, Georgia. Mr. Gregory A. Rivers will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester, Georgia. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the Shipp's Funeral Home Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page.

Ruth Louise McCrary Lumpkin was the second of five children born to the late Mr. Thomas James McCrary and the late Mrs. Viola Marshall McCrary on November 7, 1932, in Doerun, Georgia.

She joined the church at an early age. In every community and country she lived in, she was an active member. Presently, she was a member of Jones Chapel AME. As a member, she served on the Missionary Society, Lay Organization, and a Stewardess board. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. In 2024, she received the Legacy Award from the Jones Chapel Lay Organization. In the International A.M.E. Church, she was a Life Member of the Women’s Missionary Society, and a member of the International Lay Organization. Ruth and her baby sister Lannie McCrary Fountain attended all A.M.E. conferences together whether they were local, state, or national. Everyone knew them as the “Twins.”

She received her elementary education in Colquitt County, Georgia and her secondary education in Moultrie, Georgia, where she, graduated from a segregated school known as Moultrie High School for Negro Youth. She furthered her education by attending Fort Valley State College and graduated in 1953, with B.S. degree in education. She later finished her master’s degree.

She began her teaching in Eatonton, Georgia and later worked in Worth County, Georgia, Nuremberg, Germany; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Columbus, Georgia, she returned to teach in Worth County Schools where she worked until retirement. In Worth County Schools, she was Teacher of the Year, twice and had a lifetime Georgia Teaching Certificate. She started as an English Teacher and retired as a Reading teacher. She retired in June 1991, after 34 years of service. She was often praised as being a passionate, nurturing teacher. In 2023, she wars recognized in the Worth County, Georgia Black History Digital Footprint as an outstanding African American teacher who was 80 years old or older.

On December 23, 1954, she united in marriage to Carrol A. Lumpkin, and to this union, one daughter was born, Ms. Rosa Lumpkin Roberts.

In addition to her parents preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Mr. Carrol A. Lumpkin; four siblings Mrs. Geneva Blackshear (John, Sr.), Mrs. Lannie Fountain (Johnny, Sr.), Mr. Thomas James McCrary, Mr. Lawrence McCrary; one sister-in-law Mrs. Florence Lumpkin Rivers (James). Her Father and Mother-in-Law, George Washington Lumpkin and Rosa Lee Witcher Lumpkin, preceded her in death.

Quietly, Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Lord called her from labor to reward our beloved mother, aunt, cousin, family member, church member and friend.

Mrs. Ruth Louise McCrary Lumpkin leaves to mourn her passing, a loving daughter, Rosa Lumpkin Roberts of Marietta, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Arnez McCrary of Monroe Township, New Jersey; seven nieces, Dr. Viola Belinda Blackshear, Ms. Cynthia Fountain, Ms. Quintece McCrary, Mrs. Chiquita Wilburn (Jeffrey), Ms. Elmira Fountain, Mrs. Calorence Anderson (Anthony), Dr Connie Mitchell (Benny). Three nephews, Mr. John S. Blackshear II (Yolanda) Mr. Johnny Fountain, Jr., Mr. Jarvis S Blackshear, Sr. (Veronica); special cousins: Mrs. Joann Smiley Melvin (Erico), Mrs. Mattie Henley, Ms. Gale Brown, Mr. Stephen Gamble (Alice), Mr. Charlie Will McCollough, special great nephew, Mr. Gregory Rivers and a host of cousins, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces, great great nephews, other relatives and friends.