Ruth Naomi Cato Turton, 87, widow of Rev. Ronald A. Turton, passed away peacefully in her home in Miramar Beach, FL on June 1st with family by her side. She is survived by her daughters, Sandi Turton, Destin, and Susan Turton, Destin; her sister-in-law, Jane Cato; nieces Wanda (David) Brett; Cindy (Robert) Golden; and Robin Cato; and her husband’s sister-in-law, Davida Turton and nieces and nephews, Beth, John, Louise, Nancy, Angela, John. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, John Joseph Cato.
Ruth, known affectionately as "Ruthie,” "Heavenly Patch's Wife," “The First Lady of Tea,” "Rev. Ruth," "Chaplain Ruth," and "The Tea Lady," was a pastor’s wife, pastor, organist, pianist, vocalist, motivational speaker, and teacher. She was known for her quick wit, and her grace, charm, and elegance. Most importantly, she was known to be a true servant of God who was always a fierce prayer warrior with an encouraging word.
She was born on September 25, 1931, in McKenzie, Alabama, the first child of Rev. James William Cato and Minnie Lee Piggott Cato Pope.
She is a graduate of Emmanuel College with a degree in liberal arts and music. Ron and Ruth married in 1954. She served alongside her husband pastoring churches in Florida, Virginia, Arkansas, and Iowa. During their pastorate in the Washington, D.C. area, Ruth was a guest at social functions in the White House hosted by First Ladies Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, and Rosalyn Carter. She was a certified etiquette consultant through the Washington School of Protocol, and a widely recognized expert on tea and the protocol of teas. She traveled frequently and loved traveling abroad.
She succeeded her husband as pastor of Emerald Coast Cathedral in Destin. She had the privilege of being the first female president of the Destin Ministerial Association and the first female pastor to participate in Destin’s Blessing of the Fleet.
Through Ron's ministry to the International Showmen's Association, Ruth was honored to succeed him as the International Protestant Chaplain to the outdoor amusement and entertainment business, forming lifelong friendships with many circus owners and performers.
The family wishes to thank the Hospice staff for their kind, loving care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Village Baptist Church in Destin, FL on Thursday, June 27th, at 3:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following. https://www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com/tributes.
Ruth, known affectionately as "Ruthie,” "Heavenly Patch's Wife," “The First Lady of Tea,” "Rev. Ruth," "Chaplain Ruth," and "The Tea Lady," was a pastor’s wife, pastor, organist, pianist, vocalist, motivational speaker, and teacher. She was known for her quick wit, and her grace, charm, and elegance. Most importantly, she was known to be a true servant of God who was always a fierce prayer warrior with an encouraging word.
She was born on September 25, 1931, in McKenzie, Alabama, the first child of Rev. James William Cato and Minnie Lee Piggott Cato Pope.
She is a graduate of Emmanuel College with a degree in liberal arts and music. Ron and Ruth married in 1954. She served alongside her husband pastoring churches in Florida, Virginia, Arkansas, and Iowa. During their pastorate in the Washington, D.C. area, Ruth was a guest at social functions in the White House hosted by First Ladies Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, and Rosalyn Carter. She was a certified etiquette consultant through the Washington School of Protocol, and a widely recognized expert on tea and the protocol of teas. She traveled frequently and loved traveling abroad.
She succeeded her husband as pastor of Emerald Coast Cathedral in Destin. She had the privilege of being the first female president of the Destin Ministerial Association and the first female pastor to participate in Destin’s Blessing of the Fleet.
Through Ron's ministry to the International Showmen's Association, Ruth was honored to succeed him as the International Protestant Chaplain to the outdoor amusement and entertainment business, forming lifelong friendships with many circus owners and performers.
The family wishes to thank the Hospice staff for their kind, loving care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Village Baptist Church in Destin, FL on Thursday, June 27th, at 3:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following. https://www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com/tributes.
[Editor's Comment: I have known Ruth Cato Turton all of my life. Her father, the Rev. Mr. William Cato, served as the superintendent of the Alabama Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church when I was a little boy. My parents and Ruth's parents were good friends. My older sister, Mary Evelyn, and I, played with Ruth and John Joe, her brother. We have remained friends for life. I met her husband many years ago when I was a youth leader at the River Springs Camp Ground near McKenzie, Alabama. Joel McGraw and I stayed up one night and listened to Ron Turton and Thurnace York tell their fascinating stories. After Ron heard me play my trombone he would call me, "Gabriel."
It was my honor and privilege to be Ruth's mother's pastor at my first church after graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary. It was the Brownville P. H. Church in Owassa, Alabama about 6 miles from Evergreen. Her mother, Minnie Cato Pope and her husband were members of the church. They were faithful and loyal. Minnie and her husband Lonnie Pope were encouragers and big supporters of this young pastor. Minnie was an outstanding Bible teacher, and leader of women in the church. They help mentor me as I was learning what it means to be a pastor.
Melvine and I have stayed in touch with Ruth over the years and always enjoyed it when we would visit with each other at Emmanuel College for homecomings and other events.
I enjoyed learning from Ruth about her ministry with the entertainment people and in speaking and teaching about the finer things of drinking tea. She knew protocol and etiquette and shared that information freely and naturally. It was a joy to talk with Ruth. I always learned something new when I would talk with her. I shall miss calling and talking with her.
Melvine and I send our love and prayers to Ruth's family in this time of grief and sorry.]
It was my honor and privilege to be Ruth's mother's pastor at my first church after graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary. It was the Brownville P. H. Church in Owassa, Alabama about 6 miles from Evergreen. Her mother, Minnie Cato Pope and her husband were members of the church. They were faithful and loyal. Minnie and her husband Lonnie Pope were encouragers and big supporters of this young pastor. Minnie was an outstanding Bible teacher, and leader of women in the church. They help mentor me as I was learning what it means to be a pastor.
Melvine and I have stayed in touch with Ruth over the years and always enjoyed it when we would visit with each other at Emmanuel College for homecomings and other events.
I enjoyed learning from Ruth about her ministry with the entertainment people and in speaking and teaching about the finer things of drinking tea. She knew protocol and etiquette and shared that information freely and naturally. It was a joy to talk with Ruth. I always learned something new when I would talk with her. I shall miss calling and talking with her.
Melvine and I send our love and prayers to Ruth's family in this time of grief and sorry.]