Ruth Theus Hughes Boyd's Obituary
Ruth Theus Hughes Boyd, age 93 of Orange Heights, Florida passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025. She was born on November 22, 1931, to William Abe and Viola Tillman Theus.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, Ruth attended school in Gainesville and was introduced to the love of her life at the young age of 17 and love at first sight was an understatement, they married soon after on December 18, 1949, and their union was blessed with five children.
After building their home in Orange Heights, they joined the Orange Heights Baptist Church, where Ruth taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, led bible studies and always was the first to volunteer to work in the nursery. Her faith and her love for Jesus was the cornerstone of her life.
Ruth lived life to the fullest, filling it with simple pleasures, thrifting included, spending time with friends and family and regularly shopping and dining out with her friends. As a result of her generous spirit, you could not leave her house without her sending you home with something. Her fun-loving and pleasant personality made her loved by so many. Her Christian life was as beautiful as she was, inside and out.
Her beautiful life will forever be remembered by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who will strive to keep her memory alive.
She was preceded in death by parents, William Abe Theus and Viola Tillman Theus Goswick, and husbands John Hughes Sr, and Rodney Boyd.
She is survived by her children: John Hughes Jr, Orange Heights, FL; Jerry Hughes, Keystone, FL; Abbye Hughes Love, Flowery Branch, GA (Steve Shultz); Clay Hughes, Melrose, FL; Glenn Hughes,(Angie) Astor, FL; grandchildren: Chris Hughes, Marcus Hughes (Rick), Joshua Hughes (Danyel), Adrienne Postell (Chris), Ashley Hughes, Krystina Hughes Douglas (Gary), John Tyler Love (Rebecca), Samuel Austin Love (Lauren), Hunter Hughes, Hayden Hughes; great-grandchildren: Orion, Joshua Jr., Jarrett, Colton, Shaun, Camden, Adalyn, Brooklyn, Krislyn , Ricky, Teddy, Baylor and Jensen.
All those who knew and loved Ruth are invited to the visitation on Thursday evening and the funeral on Friday to share in her celebration of her long, full life.
The family will receive friends Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville. A Celebration of life service will be held Friday, November 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Deacon Ray Bristow officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesville cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Ruth?
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Share a story where Ruth's kindness touched your heart.
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