Ruth Ann Ford, age 82 of Salem, passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. Ruth was born on October 11, 1939 in rural Iuka the daughter of Norman Harold and Mable Ruth (Weems) Duke. She married Richard R. Ford on August 11, 1958 in Mt. Vernon and he preceded her in death on May 15, 2019. Survivors include her three children, Gena Jones and husband Curt of Kinmundy, Alan Ford and wife Donna of Salem, and Jana Powless and husband Rusty of Alma; eight grandchildren, Alison Sardina and husband Daniel, Nick Jones and wife Mallory, Abbey Jones, Michael Ford and wife Karly, Ashley Findley and husband Curtis, Nathan Powless, Noah Powless and Katie Woolford; twelve great grandchildren, Ollie Sardina, Elijah Sardina, Noah Sardina, Natalie Davis, Parker Findley, Isaiah Findley, Kaysen Findley, Jonah Findley, Esme Findley, Anderson Jones, Collins Jones, and Arlo Ford; one sister, Janet McIntosh; and two sisters-in-law, Judy Mulvany and Dorothy Ford. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and an infant brother, Gerald Duke. Ruth attended Grace Church of the Nazarene in Salem. She was a homemaker, farmer, and beekeeper; helping her husband with the honey business for many years. She found joy in her flower gardens, tending to her pets and being with her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Roger Findley officiating. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery in Salem. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Salem Animal Shelter and can be left at the funeral home.