Ruth Louise (Hicks) Miller, whose life was marked by love, dedication and quiet strength, passed into the arms of her Savior peacefully on May 26, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina after a prolonged illness.

Ruth, affectionately known as "Ruthie Belle," was born on October 10, 1930, in the town of Shelburne, Massachusetts, to the late Roy Hicks and Ethel (McDonald) Hicks. Ruth's early years in Charlemont, MA were spent exploring the flora and fauna surrounding Roy’s mountain dairy farm with her late sister, Ruby M Maynard, and late brothers Ernie Hicks, Norman Hicks, and Robert Hicks. Graduating from Charlemont High School in 1948 full of dreams and with a heart eager for adventure, she worked her way across the country in the early fifties, not stopping until she reached California. There in 1955, she embarked on her 47-year adventure with the late David Miller of Bear Creek, Montana, marrying him that year. Together, they built a life of love, laughter, quite a bit of silliness, hundreds of hands of canasta, and probably hundreds of baseball and football games, plays and concerts as well. Ruth and Dave were both explorers and lovers of nature and they explored a large swath of the US together and with their boys especially in their younger years. Most importantly, their focus was never really on all these activities but rather in the people behind them. For her part, Ruthie Belle devotedly loved and served her equally devoted husband, and that example of simple constancy and fidelity served not only to inspire her children but theirs as well to love and service.

Ruth's legacy of faith, faithfulness, kindness and strength is carried forward by her three sons: Russ Miller (wife Susan) of Bonita Springs, Florida; Bruce Miller (wife Carole) of North Adams, MA; and Doug Miller (wife Lynda) of Mount Pleasant, SC, and by her four cherished grandchildren, Sara Potvin (Marcel), Elizabeth Rowntree (Peter), Amanda Sheehan (Ryan) and Jon Miller, as well as her seven great-grandchildren, Audrey, Blake, Ellie, Evan, Bentley, Lachlan and George.

Ruthie Belle pursued meaning by practicing compassion and community and by working - whether in her employment as a bookkeeper or in the home - diligently and perseveringly. Her involvement in numerous organizations-from serving as a PTA president and Little League Auxiliary in Rialto, CA, to volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Drury Band Parents in North Adams, MA to teaching Sunday School and leading Bible studies wherever she found herself -demonstrated her unwavering commitment to service and faith. A woman of diverse interests, Ruth was passionate about studying the Bible, reading biographies and poetry, and taking in the beauty of nature (and attempting to tame it in her garden). If a song was written between 1940 and 1965, you can bet she knew all the lyrics (and could sing it well). Ruth Louise Miller's life was a testament to love, faith, and the joy of human connection. Her family and friends are grateful for her life and know she rests in the presence of her Jesus and takes joy in fellowship with those who had been waiting for her on a brighter shore.

The family wishes to extend gratitude to many compassionate caregivers at Wellmore of Daniel Island and Live Long Well Care for their loving support during Ruth's final days.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at J. Henry Stuhr Inc. located at 1494 Mathis Ferry Road. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and a reception will be held following the interment at J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to East Cooper Meals on Wheels ( https://ecmow.org ) or the St. Jude organization ( https://www.stjude.org/ ).

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.