Mary Ruth Derring

Obituary For Mary Ruth Derring

Mrs. Mary Ruth Deering, 86, of Columbus, GA passed Friday, January 7, 2021 in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. EST Saturday, January 29, 2022 in the C.T. Chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Avery Hudson, officiating. Interment to follow in Evergreen Memorial Park, Columbus, GA. Visitation is Friday, January 28, 2022 from 1-5 p.m. EST.

MARY RUTH DEERING, affectionately known as “Muddie,” was born January 25, 1935, to the late Lovie B. Prince Hamdlin and Sandy Adams in Kosciusko, MS. She was baptized at an early age at Holy Missionary Baptist Church where she became a faithful member with her parents.

Mary attended Marble Rock Elementary School and Tipton High School while living in Kosciusko. In 1952, Mary and John W. Hamblin were united in marriage. Of that union, eight children were born. Then in 1958, she moved to Memphis, TN with her sister, Wardine Fondren, to start a new career.

Muddie started working at Curtiss Candy Factory making various candy bars. One of her favorite candies was Baby Ruth, because it had her middle name on it. Later, she worked at John Gaston Hospital as a laboratory assistant to help maintain equipment. In 1964, Mary and her husband moved their family to the westside of Chicago, IL. There, she worked in the housekeeping department at Allerton Hotel. Muddie was also the bookkeeper for her brother’s Auto Repair Shop. Muddie always opened the doors of her home to many relatives and friends. She was considered the neighborhood mom. Muddie was famously known for her epic caramel cakes, homemade biscuits, and smothered chicken. She loved receiving one-dollar bills as her birthday gift. Muddie loved to sing, shout, and take pictures of every person in church.

While living in Chicago, Muddie became fondly known as ‘Mother Mary.’ She joined Old Original Missionary Baptist Church (Rev. Willie Redic), where she served on the usher board. In 1983, she moved to the northside of Chicago and became a devoted member of St. Luke Church of God in Christ (Pastor James C Austin). There she served on the usher board and in the woman’s choir. In 1992, Mother Mary started working with the Outreach Missionary Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Cassie Redmon at Faith Healing Mission Church of The Living God. Mother Mary enjoyed spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. To highlight one of her duties in the outreach ministry, she loved serving food and reading the bible to adults who were living in mental health facilities. Additionally, she ministered to homeless people in her local community shelters and nursing homes. Mother Mary assisted Pastor Redmon as her armor bearer for over 17 years, until Pastor Redmon death in 2009.

Upon arrival to Phenix City, AL in 2009 to live with her daughter, Mother Mary became a disciple of Shekinah Glory Worship Center (Bishop Tony L. Mitchell Sr). She loved the women’s ministry lead by Lady Sandra Mitchell and their impressive Praise Team. In August 2015, Mother Mary and the late Deacon James Deering were united in matrimony. Upon the loss of her husband, Mother Mary moved back with her daughter in Columbus, GA and attended Christ Deliverance Temple- The Life Center (Pastor Avery Hudson). There she was adopted as the honorary mother of the church. Pastor Avery lovingly called her ‘Queen Mother Mary.’ She was well-loved throughout the body of Christ and all the communities she lived in because of her kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness.

Preceding her in death is one siste, Merre (deceased); two brothers, Melvin (deceased) (Virginia), Clyde (deceased) (Josephine) and leaves a legacy of four generations.

She was the mother of ten children Willie Clyde (deceased) (Charlene), Shirley (Andre), Johnny (deceased), Brenda, Dwight (Sandra), James (Annette), Valeria, Laurynce "Larry" (Walter), Sharon (Quentin-‘Clinton’), Tawanna; 28 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren;7 great-great grandchildren and a host of spiritual daughters and sons, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends left to cherish the memories of Mother Mary in their heart.

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