InTucker Magazine

Citizen of the Month – Ruth Fruit

We would like to nominate our mother, Ruth Fruit, for Tucker Citizen of the Month.

We can’t think of anyone that loves and supports and is prouder of Tucker than our mom. There’s good reason for her pride: our Tucker family roots date back to 1820 and she’s lived through the changes of this community since she moved here in 1956. More personally, she has directly or indirectly touched the lives of thousands of Tucker citizens through her 32 years as an educator in Tucker schools.

Ruth Fruit was the Lead Teacher (a position now known as Assistant Principal) at Brockett Elementary then served as Principal of Livsey Elementary. She later moved to be Principal at Smoke Rise Elementary. After her service at Smoke Rise, she was appointed Area Director for Dekalb County Schools with oversight of 12 schools. Mom’s love of education, children, and working with teachers and parents was evident in her motto, “Education With a Hug.” She retired in 1995 to care for her mother.

Many Tucker residents may have met Mom during Little League baseball or softball on our backyard ball field on Idlewood Road. Others remember her many years of teaching adult Sunday School or serving on the Finance Committee at Atlanta First Methodist Church.

Mom has worked tirelessly over the years to do everything she can to make Tucker a great place to live. She frequents and encourages support of Tucker small businesses. She was an avid supporter of Tucker’s city status initiative and Mom actively participates in her Homeowners’ Association in the Browning Chase subdivision (which was named for one of our ancestors, Andrew Browning). In recent years she has led the effort to rejuvenate the New Fellowship Cemetery on Fellowship Road.

Through her example, Mom taught us the importance of a strong work ethic and kindness to others. Every day, she continues to be a role model for her two daughters, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Mom celebrates her 90th birthday on October 16. I often think what a wonderful place the world would be if there were more Ruth Fruits.

Nominated by Raylene Lowe and Jeannine Kivi