Ruth Hannah Taliaferro McDowell

SAVANNAH - Ruth Hannah Taliaferro McDowell born in Middlesex County Virginia on April 25, 1933, daughter Alice Phillips and Thomas Jackman entered into eternal life on Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

Her early childhood years were spent in Philadelphia, PA where she graduated from William Penn High School for Girls at the age of 15. She later met her sweetheart Richmond McDowell who preceded her in death. They were joined together in 1950 and shared 57 years of marriage. They later moved to Detroit, MI and from their union three daughters were born Sharon, Gail and Ricki.

Though she only had three natural children "Miss Ruth" as she was affectionately known, was a mother to many. Her nurturing journey spanned 50 years and reached from Detroit, Michigan to Savannah, Georgia. In Detroit she retired from the Wayne County Department of Social Services after more than 30 years as a Social Worker. Though retired, when she moved to Savannah, she still sought to make a difference in her community. At Wal-mart she championed the Children's Miracle Network where she helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for sick children. She received numerous awards for her service to her community which was her greatest joy.

She leaves to mourn her memory three daughters, Sharon Irvin Benjamin of Savannah, GA; Gail McDowell of Detroit, MI; and Ricki Will Billins of Columbus, GA; one sister Ethel Bernice Blake of Easton, PA; one brother-in-law L.B. McDowell of Manchester, GA; one sister-in-law Jan Joseph McDowell-Jones of Philadelphia, PA; seven grandchildren Daniel Holts II, Richard and Erica Benjamin, Robert and Briana Holmes, Alyssa and Maya Billins; and four great-grandsons Deyvhan, Keyjunte, Kahlil, and Daniel Holts III; one great-granddaughter Neyla; along with a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 13th at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.