Ruby Guinn Waits

Ruby Guinn Waits, 97, of Mount Hope, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on November 11, 1928, to the late George and Betsy Reeser Reagan, Ruby graduated as valedictorian from Lawrence County High School in 1949. A charter member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, she remained a faithful member of the choir for many years. She found quiet joy in watching Atlanta Braves baseball and golf, tending her garden, praying, and reading her Bible, but her greatest happiness came from spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Henry Waits; her son, Bobby Waits; grandsons Bobby “BJ” Waits, Jr., and Matthew Waits; her parents; sisters Minnie Goodlett, Roxie Goodlett, Maudie Suggs, Rettie Underwood, and Mary Oshia Goodlett; and brothers Thomas Reagan and Roy Reagan.

Ruby is survived by her children, Richard (Brandy) Waits and Virginia “Jenny” (Dale) Sutton; grandchildren Susie (Josh) Smith, Lora (Lee) Smith, Nathan Waits, Teri (Brian) Stafford, Cari (Corey) Reed, Derek (Mackenzie) Sutton, and Neely Waits; great-grandchildren Austen Stafford, Braden Stafford, Carter Reed, Carsen Reed, Dayton Sutton, Maylee Sutton, Peyton Waldrep, Lane Smith, Landen Smith, Avery Waits, Cooper Waits, and Felicity Robinson; great-great-grandchildren Amayiah Nesby and Amiri Nesby; and special family members Jamie (Brandon) Raney and Perrin, Dr. Rex (Beth) Tuckier and Elijah, along with her beloved Pilgrim Church family and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.