Ruth Wood Wilson, 86, went to be with Jesus her Savior on Sunday, October 12th, 2025. She was born on October 29th, 1938, to Jesse and Gertrude (Pettigrew) Wood.

When Ruth was 17 years old she was found to have cancer (osteogenic sarcoma) in her back. Doctors tried to remove it but could not get it all. They said she had “about 3 months to live.” Her parents prayed. They asked everyone they knew to pray. God does not always answer prayers the way that we hope He will, but He had a plan for Ruth’s life and so she lived almost seventy more years!

Ruth married Alex V. Wilson on December 26, 1961. In 1963 Ruth and Alex went to the Philippines where they served as missionaries for 20 years. Upon returning to Louisville, they ministered at the Portland Avenue Church of Christ for over 30 years. Ruth spent her life telling others about Jesus, whether teaching Sunday school, leading Vacation Bible Schools, leading high school Bible club in the Philippines and kids’ Bible club at Portland Avenue, teaching women’s Bible studies, leading a Girl Scout troop, visiting the sick and elderly, and heading up Women’s Retreat committees. Many came to know Jesus through her work. On many occasions she shared her testimony of being healed. God used her for His glory. Praise be to God!

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband of 55 years; and by her older brother, David Wood. She is survived by her three children, Steve (Ruby, deceased), Joy (Danny) Van Nes, and Dan (Laura); grandchildren, Matt (Janaya), Alexina, Johnmark (Kalle), Zach and Mary Wilson; Corbin and Lindsey Van Nes; Bryant and Benjamin Wilson, and three great-grandchildren, Roman, Elias and Remi. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sarah Preston and Martha Walls, and by multiple nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 16th from 4:00pm – 8:00pm, at the Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. The funeral service will be on Friday, October 17th at 12:30pm, with an additional visitation prior to the service, starting at 11:30am. Burial will follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Ruth may be made to the following:

Portland Christian School (Louisville) https://www.portlandchristian.org

Maple Manor Christian Home (Sellersburg) https://www.maplemanorchristianhomeinc.com/ Central Bible Seminary (Philippines) via Church of Christ Worldwide, PO Box 54842, Lexington KY 40555.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth, please visit our floral store.