Barbara (Ingram) Ruhl

Barbara “Babs” Jeanne Ingram Ruhl, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 6, 2021 in Watkinsville, GA.  She was born on March 4, 1929 in Tarrant City AL, to the late Roy E. Ingram of Tarrant City, AL and the late Caddie Lucille Prosch Ingram of Tarrant City, AL.  Babs graduated from Montevallo State College for Women with a degree in art education in 1949 then followed her family to Florida where she met and married Lt. Col. Dan Hart Ruhl, Jr, from Fort Myers, Fl in 1950. Soon after they were married, Dan joined the United States Air Force and their adventures began. She loved all the places that they traveled which included Florida, Texas, Maryland, Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan.  She would act as a “veteran” taking care of families who joined them at the various military bases, making sure they knew where to go and what to do. She took every opportunity to expose her children to the other cultures and experiences as they moved around.  As they moved, she shared her love of art with children all over the world and also learned from them, sharing those experiences with others as well.  She was very creative, using whatever materials she could find to create a masterpiece and was also very artistic in other ways.  She was a very talented seamstress, making all of her family’s clothes, even suits and prom dresses, creating her own patterns.  Her biggest joy was her artistic creations from stained glass.  From Tiffany style lamps, jewelry boxes, and picturesque windows, the greatest of her accomplishments were her inspirational windows that grace many churches in the south.  Her faith in Christ will continue to light the world in which she lived through these windows.

Babs never met a stranger.  She brought joy, inspiration and compassion to all around her. She was always reaching out with a smile, complimenting individuals to bring a smile to their face.  She was always worried about others and wanting to make sure they were ok and “taken care of”.  She had a big heart and will be missed.  

Babs is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister Margaret (Maggie) Ingram Smithson.  She is survived by her children: Danny Ruhl (Leslie), Suzi Ruhl-Duenas (Michael), Jill Ruhl-Bolding (Tim); brother: Roy (Bud) Ingram (Margaret Ann); grandchildren: Laura (Blake), Daniel (Katie), Julie, Jordan, Hillary, and Zachary; great grandchildren; Aiden, Madelyn.

Due to Covid concerns, the family will not hold a public memorial service.  A private celebration of Bab’s life will be held at a later date on St. George Island, Fl.  Interment will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Operation Gratitude, PO Box 260257, Encino, CA 91426-0257.

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