Portrait of Ruth Harris. IMB Photo
Ruth Simms Harris, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Bermuda, died June 21, 2025, in Meriwether County, Georgia. She was 101.
Ruth was born March 13, 1924, in Miami, Florida, to the late John and Mattie Simms. She graduated from Putnam County High School in Palatka, Florida, and received the Associate of Arts from Mars Hill (North Carolina) College.
At age 12, during a revival meeting, she publicly accepted Jesus as her Savior. While seeking missionary appointment, she wrote that music was always a source of joy and service during her lifetime. In various seasons, she was an accompanist for choral, orchestral, and church groups, and gave private piano instruction to students. Her first husband died in 1974.
While seeking missionary appointment she wrote, “In the fall of 1978, the Lord unmistakably called me to his service in the capacity of a missionary to a place of service where my musical training and other abilities can be used as He opens the way.” She married Robert Harris in 1979.
In 1979, the International Mission Board appointed Bob and Ruth missionaries to Bermuda. Ruth served alongside Bob as a pastor’s wife, church musician and church planter.
Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Bernard Ladd; her husband, Robert Harris, who died in 2007; her son, Thomas Bernard Ladd Jr.; and her stepdaughter, Mary Carol Ard.
She is survived by daughter-in-law Ann, of Hogansville, Georgia; son David Ladd (Becky) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; son Steve Ladd (Debbie) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; son Mark Ladd of Hogansville; son Michael Ladd of Hogansville; stepson, Bobby Harris (Maigread) of Drumkeerin, Ireland; stepdaughter Ruthie Barker (Greg) of St. Simons Island, Georgia, 14 grandchildren; three step grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held June 27 at Union Baptist Church in the St. Marks community of Meriwether County, Georgia.
Read an obituary here.