Ruth M. Briggs

Ruth M. Briggs, 89, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Oak Grove Manor Nursing Home in Mansfield, OH.

Ruth was born on December 22, 1931 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Howard and Grace Davis. She was the youngest of three. Her two older siblings, Robert and Will, predeceased her.

Ruth attended Moody Bible Institutes where she met and later married Rev. Glenn A. Briggs. She served the Lord together with Glenn at New England Keswick in Monterey, MA for 37 years. Glenn predeceased her in 1990.

Ruth furthered her education at the Berkshire Christian College where she earned a B.A. in Theology and Elementary Education. Ruth went on to teach at Berkshire County Christian School and The Master’s Christian School both located in Pittsfield, MA. In her retirement, she joined New Tribes Mission where she served for ten years teaching at Tambo School in Bolivia, South America and then one year in West Guinea, Africa. Ruth was known for using object lessons, flannel graph, and puppets in her classrooms.

After returning from the mission field, Ruth was able to finally retire at The Home for New Tribes Missionaries in Sanford, Fl where she lived for ten years. She then moved on to Ohio where she lived with her daughter, Linda, before moving to Oak Grove Manor.

Ruth is survived by her four sons and four daughters: Linda (Richard) Haapanen of Ontario, OH; Timothy Briggs of Myrtle Beach, SC; Sandra (Rick) Iriarte of Ashley Falls, MA; Charles (Celia) Briggs of Friendship, ME; William (Kim) Briggs or Bolton, CT; Cheri (Todd) Anderson of Browns Mills, NJ; Laurie (Will) Parker of Myrtle Beach, SC; and Peter (Shannon) Briggs of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Ruth loved all of her grandchildren: Rachele, Michele, Seth (predeceased), Gabriele, and Noele (Linda’s children); Brian and Valerie (Timothy’s children); Micah and Careth (Sandra’s children); Christopher, Laura, and Matthew (Charles’ children); Eric, Kelly, and David (Cheri’s children); Jonathan and Joshua (Laurie’s children); and Miles, Nathan and Scarlet (Peter’s children); and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Ruth had a deep love for the Lord and always had a smile on her face! She was known by many as Aunt Ruth and by her great-grandchildren as GG.

SERVICES – Calling hours will be held at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, MA on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm as well as on Monday, December 6, 2021 from 10:00am to 11:00am. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Corashire Cemetery in Monterey, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to New Tribes Mission/Ethnos 360 in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com