Mrs. Annie Ruth Ogletree

Mrs. Annie Ruth Ogletree died, January 18, 2017, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 2:00 PM, at Crown Hill Cemetery. Mr. Jimmy Black will be officiating. Family will receive friends Monday, January 23, 2017, 6:00-8:00 PM, at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors. Mrs. Annie Ruth Ogletree died, January 18, 2017, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. She was the first child of Annie Julia Kitchens Potter and Taft Tee Potter. She was born in 1934 on a farm in Andersonville, Ga., where she spent a lot of time with her Granddaddy Kitchens, who liked to fish. She developed a love of animals and caring faring for her brothers and sisters. She was the oldest of 11 children; 5 brothers and 5 sisters. When she started school, her 1st teacher led her to Jesus. That relationship with Jesus gave her strength and joy all her life of 82 years. It was especially evident when she was a nurse at Sumter County Hospital and for 2 years at Emory University Hospital where she stayed with her husband Coy McAlvin, who gave his life to medical research. He had Myas Thenia Gravis, an incurable disease. She loved her Aunt Louise and Uncle Theron Kitchens. They helped her get jobs, especially a nursing position, and gave her business advice. She Married Coy Mitchell McAlvin in 1953. Her first child, James Mitchell McAlvin, was born in 1957. Daniel Eldridge McAlvin in 1961. She supported Coy with his Power Company job and “kept books” on Coy’s 2 other businesses. He died in 1969. She had a children’s daycare business, then she helped her second husband Griff Brown, manage Brown’s Grocery and Gas, a popular Auto service/ Country Store beside the Albany Airport. He died in 1974, but she managed it until selling it in 1976, when she married Bobby Joe Ogletree. They enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, cooking, watching TV, pets, and church activities. She sang in the choir and taught children’s Sunday school at Faith Baptist Church. For many years she taught Sunday school at Sherwood Baptist Church. Many of the children from Sherwood attended her Daycare. They called her Miss Ruth. When Ruth was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1996, the medicines she took slowed her down, and caused strokes which disabled her. Her faith in Jesus was strong, and she cheerfully greeted everyone who met her. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband’s, Coy M. McAlvin and Griffin Brown; her brothers, Harold Potter, John “Buster” Potter and Roger Potter (Brenda); her sister Barbara VanAssche (Phil); her dogs Chloe and Prissie; her cats Mamie and Tiger. Ruth is survived by her husband Bobby Joe Ogletree; her son’s James Mitchell McAlvin and Daniel Eldridge McAlvin (Marla); her brother’s William “Bill” Taft Potter and Walter “Gene” Eugene Potter; her sister’s Sarah Scarborough, Doris Ann Potter, Mavis Crowe, and Martha Castleberry (Bobby); her grandson’s Matthew McAlvin and Michael McAlvin; many cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers and sister in laws. A special mention for her second cousins Ben and Carolyn Ramsey, who visited her these last few months at Winfield Park, Phoebe Putney hospital, at home and at Pruitt. Their visits always picked up her spirits.

Mrs. Annie Ruth Ogletree

March 24, 1934 - January 18, 2017