Ruth Marilyn Nelson Scudder, 78, formerly of Lawrenceburg, IN., passed away on April 23^rd, 2016 in Savannah, GA from cancer, heart and respiratory disease. Born November 12th, 1937, near Chesterville, IN. to Alice May (nee Stevens) Palmer and Carl Nelson. Ruth was the oldest child with six siblings; Wayne, Jane, Brenda, Linda, Robert and Phyllis. As a young woman, Ruth worked on the family farm owned by her stepfather, Clarence Palmer, handling every facet of crop and animal management, including heavy machinery. Mrs. Scudder attended Rising Sun Schools, graduating in 1955 from Rising Sun High School where she was a varsity cheerleader, member of the Honor Society and involved in many other clubs. Ruth also modeled for local department stores in her teen years. After high school graduation, Ruth began a career as a waitress at Frisch’s Restaurant in Lawrenceburg and then as a bookkeeper with Allison Transmission in Indianapolis. She returned to the Cincinnati area as a bookkeeper with Lunkenheimer Valve Company and then as a electrocardiographer with the University of Cincinnati Cardiography Center in the early 1960’s. In 1981, Ruth launched a clothing store in Lawrenceburg named The Bottom Line, which ran for two years.

Mrs. Scudder was married to Gary Scudder, MD from 1958 to 1994. During her marriage, Mrs. Scudder lived in Indianapolis, Rising Sun, San Antonio, Cincinnati, and then in Lawrenceburg, IN. Ruth became a homemaker and raised four children in their primary residence on Ludlow Hill.

Later in life, Ruth lived in Harrison, OH, Atlanta, GA, Wilder VT, Carmel, IN and lastly, Savannah, GA. Ruth had a lifelong love for family and social gatherings with many friends, card clubs and was an avid golfer at Dearborn Country Club. She enjoyed travel to warm climates, including Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Miami, Sanibel Island, Gatlinburg and cruises to the Bahamas. Later on, Ruth travelled to Paris and London with her daughter Beth. Family holidays were the highlight of her life and she derived great joy in hosting all her family members at the holidays. Ruth was a passionate supporter of many charities and veteran’s service organizations, including a long held relationship with the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mrs. Scudder is survived by Gary Scudder, Jr, Ph.D. of Burlington VT, Lisa Scudder and partner Philip Bernini M.D. of Savannah, GA, Eric Scudder and partner Linda Smith of Carmel, IN, and Beth (Scudder) Feiwell of Chicago, IL., along with many cousins and relatives. Ruth was also a doting aunt with 10 nieces and nephews.

The happiness, enrichment and education of her grandchildren was first and foremost in her life. Grandchildren include Gary Scudder III, Garrett Marker, Cameron Scudder, Lucy Scudder (deceased), Cole Scudder, Lauren Feiwell and Eli Feiwell.

A private family service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Moores Hill, IN with arrangements managed through Fitch-Denney Funeral Home of Greendale, IN. and Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors in Savannah, GA. Donations in memoriam for Mrs. Scudder may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family wishes to thank our friends, associates and community for their support in honoring Ruth’s life.