Shirley Ruth Mawyer Fitzgerald

Shirley Ruth Mawyer Fitzgerald, 88, of Lovingston, went home to be with her Savior on February 10, 2026, passing away at the home that meant so much to her. Ruth, as most knew and loved her, was born on May 15, 1937, to Goodman Mawyer and Blanche Poe Mawyer. She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, her husband Mark Edison Fitzgerald, her brothers Goodman Mawyer Jr. and Thomas Mawyer, and many other precious family members who surely greeted her with open arms.

Ruth was a devoted and faithful member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where she shared the love of Christ through a lifetime of service, prayer, and caregiving. She retired from UVA Health Services Foundation after thirty years as a patient account representative and happily spent her retirement doing what she loved most, taking care of her family and others.

Ruth leaves behind a legacy carried forward by her five daughters: Teresa Ann Harris (Ted), Cynthia Lou Gentry (Wayne), Pamela Sue Miller, Sandra Lee Marshall (Darby), and Dawn Faye Tinder (Gary), along with 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Amazingly, she remembered every single birthday and made sure each one got a call. Her love stretched far beyond family as she also kept up with birthdays throughout the community and welcomed many babies into the world with her handmade name pillows.

She wore many hats and answered to many names: Ruthie, Granny, Granny Ruth, Momma Ruth, Miss Ruth, Babe Ruth, MOG, and even “Miss AT&T,” because she faithfully worked the Ridgecrest prayer chain, making sure everyone was lifted up in prayer, no matter how big or small the need.

When the girls were young, Ruth often sewed matching outfits for them, with a tie for Mark to match. When she wasn’t sewing for her girls, she kept score at countless softball games for them and for Mark at Lovingston Elementary School. Ruth had a gift for stretching a meal and rarely fed just her own family. There was always room for one more at her table. She will be remembered for her biscuits and gravy, hoecakes, pinto beans and cornbread, fish fries, coconut pies, peach cobbler, and her famous coconut rabbit cakes. Sundays meant church, followed by a big family meal at home. She also loved when people stopped by unannounced for coffee, sweets, and a visit.

Everyone knew there was not a more devoted Elvis fan than Granny Ruth. We girls still carry the memory (and a small scar) from the day he died, when the news came on just as we were backing out of the driveway.

Words cannot fully express what she meant to so many. She was the heart of her family, a prayer warrior, a servant to others, and a steady source of love. She will be deeply missed.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with Pastor David Christian officiating.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions can be made in Ruth’s memory to the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 14654 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, Virginia 22949.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).