Mary Ruth Eichelberger, age 97, died Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Mississippi Care Center in Morton, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 12 noon, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from the chapel of the Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest with interment in the High Hill Methodist Cemetery. Rev. Gene Banes, Rev. Larry Duncan and Rev. Tal Vardaman will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 11:30am prior to the service time. She was born on June 21, 1919 in Smith County to her parents Flue Elton Sorey and Laura E. Monroe. She was a member of the High Hill United Methodist Church, and enjoyed visiting other churches in the community. She was a faithful Christian mother and grandmother who enjoyed reading her Bible and attending church as long as her health permitted. Her favorite pastimes were cooking and growing flowers. She not only loved her family, but loved the fellowship of being with other people and friends as she enjoyed visiting others often. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, George Arthur Eichelberger, her parents, three brothers; Monroe Sorey, Richard Sorey and Clark Sorey, three sisters; Nola Blackwell, Lilly Meritt and Blanche Harvey. Survivors include one daughter; Elizabeth Gunn (David) of Forest; two sons: Ed Eichelberger (Sue) , Carl Eichelberger (Vonnie) both of Forest; three sisters: Myrna Jones of Longview, TX., Alla Haden of Pearl and Martha Nelson of Raleigh. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers are Lance Eichelberger, Eric Gunn, Jordan Gunn, Jason Stroud, Mike Stroud, Heath Clark and Jesse Lang. Services provided by Ott & Lee Funeral Home of Forest. Telephone: (601) 469-3412.