She was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the daugher of the late Weldon A. and Evelyn Margaret Sayles Nicholls. She attended school in Michigan. She moved from Michigan as a young lady and lived and worked in the Mid South area, including, Senatobia Convalescent Home and Baddour Memorial Center and Wesley Meadows Retirement Village.
She began work at Aramark at Freed Hardeman Univesity, working as a cashier in the Lion's Pride and was effectiontly known as "Aunt Ruth" to the students on campus.
She is survived by, a son Lee Thompson (Vicki) of Memphis; two daughters, Tina Joyner (Steve) of Hernando, MS and Tammy Sanders (Charlie) of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; three grandchildren, Kyle Joyner, Nathan Pointer and Christian Williamson; a brother, Robert W. Nicholls of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and two sisters, Elaine Blaga of Redford, Michigan and Harriett Clow of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.