Ruth Anne Glaze

September 24, 1947 – April 14, 2024

Ruth Anne Lail Glaze left this world on the night of April 14, 2024, surrounded by many of her loved ones, following a sudden stroke on April 9. She left a huge imprint on this world; most especially on the hearts of those she loved and who loved her.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 27, at Cross Roads Baptist Fellowship Hall, 104 Crossroads Rd, Pelahatchie, MS. A Memorial Service will follow at 2:30 pm, although out of respect for Ruth, it will actually start at 2:45 pm, because Ruth was always running late.

Ruth was born on September 24, 1947, to James “Jim” Edward Lail and Gwendolyn Marguerite Sims Lail in Jacksboro, TX. She was the baby of the family, having five siblings born over a span of seventeen years.

Ruth had a life-long love for music. She began playing the piano and organ for her church in Jacksboro, TX when she was 13 years old. From that point on, she was actively involved in some form of music ministry for the next thirty-five years. While in high school, she was AllState on the clarinet for five years, totally unbeknownst to even her closest Mississippi friends until two years ago, when on a girl’s trip, she picked up a clarinet and began playing it as if she had been playing it daily! She also had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing in the car while driving her “Grands”, in church, or at work retreats and Christmas parties. Thankfully, she couldn’t contain the music within her, and like so many things in her life, her music brightened the lives of all those around her.

Ruth had a beautiful, quick smile, and a wonderful laugh. She was always ready for a gathering of any kind, and loved celebrations, regardless of the reason.

Her life was full, very full, and “richly textured” as she so often said! She had many interests and passions beyond her family and work. She loved sewing, cooking, painting, writing, and traveling back to Jacksboro, TX (including her high school reunions where she was able to maintain and nurture those beloved friendships from her childhood).

Ruth was decisive and always knew what she wanted, such as when she met Henry, a Marine at the time, and quickly married him on June 24, 1966. Shortly afterward they moved to Mississippi, which became her new home. Ruth worked at The Baptist Children’s Village from 1972-1984 serving in positions as Assistant Director of Music, Director of Music, and Director of Christian Education. During that time, she had two children and earned both her bachelor's degree and her master's degree from Mississippi College.

The Shepherd’s Staff Counseling Center (TSS) was founded in October 1981, and Ruth joined TSS in December 1984 as a Staff Therapist. She was in her 40th year of counseling this year and had long been a foundation of the culture and excellence at TSS. Not only did she have an impact on her clients and local workplace, but Ruth had an impact on Mississippi Marriage and Family Therapists as she served on the Licensure Board and assisted in writing the MFT examinations, as well as serving on the board of MAMFT (Mississippi Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) for many years. Additionally, she was a National Trainer for Active-Parenting, and served as a Victim Assistance Officer for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office during Sheriff Malcolm McMillin’s tenure. Ruth was brave and courageous and would walk where angels feared to tread to be an advocate for those hurting or in need. She was a voice of clarity and strength for the voiceless and had the eyes, heart, and ears for those walking-wounded, whether it was within the walls of her office at TSS or in her day-to-day life.

Ruth was a welcoming and gracious Presence who extended to others her compassion, her acceptance, her understanding, and her heart’s desire “to help mend the torn fabric of the world” (her own words).

Those family members left mourning her sudden leaving include: her loving husband of almost fifty-eight years, Henry Mayo Glaze; her devoted daughter, Emily Glaze Morgan and her husband, Phil Morgan; her son, Chip Glaze; her beloved ‘Grands’, each of whom she adored and was so proud of: Mason Glaze, Brielle Morgan, Gray Glaze, Nick Morgan and Luke Morgan; her sisters-in-law, Ann Glaze Westbrook ( Mike Love), Maxine Lazovick, and Cathy Glaze; her brother-in-law, Tom Glaze; numerous loved nieces and nephews, and family-by-choice, Cassie and David Carroll and Sean and Elizabeth Milner.

Those preceding her in leaving this earth include both of her parents; her sisters, Patsy Mae Lail Dennis and Norma Jean Lail Bradley; her brothers, “Baby Brother” Lail, Robert “Bob” Edward Lail and James “Jim” Michael Lail; her parents-in-law, Thomas Edward Glaze and Ruth Mayo Glaze; and her nephew, Anderson Coats.

Honorary “pallbearers” will be all former and present members of The Shepherd’s Staff family and all Law Enforcement Officers in attendance.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please send memorials in Ruth’s name to: The Baptist Children’s Village, 114 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

The family would also like to express their heartfelt thanks to the EMTs with AMR and to the Staff at St Dominic Hospital in Neuro ICU for their compassionate care for Ruth those brief five days.