Ruth Elizabeth (Martin) Montgomery Culpepper, age 85, finished her Earthy journey on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Ruth was born Tuesday, September 17, 1940 in New Hope Arkansas to the blessed union of Perry and Annie (Wilson) Martin. After graduating high school she went on to study at LSU and LA Tech and earned her degree in nursing. She loved being a registered nurse and worked for many hospitals and schools throughout her career. She worked 20 dedicated years for EA Conway Hospital in the psychiatric ward and found helping patients to be very fulfilling. She retired from the State in 2010. Ruth was known as a strong woman with a huge heart, especially when it came to children. She was a God-send to many children in need throughout the years. She would do anything it took to help and to fix a bad situation when it came to a child.  Ruth had a passion for genealogy and enjoyed tracing her family line.  When she and Reggie got married they used any excuse possible to get out and travel.  They especially loved to bring their grandchildren along on their adventures.  They took them to see a good bit of the United States.  Ruth loved her family and they were her world. She loved her children, her grandchildren more, and her great grandchildren even more!
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Mary Kay Schoonover (Rusty), Billy Montgomery (Pennie), Becky Norred, Mandie Guthrie (Brian), Clay Culpepper (Cheryl), Brad Culpepper (Melissa); grandchildren, Cody Montgomery (Abbi), Sam Montgomery, Megan Schoonover (Kathryn), Jordan Kees, Railee Tankchell (Ikem), Hunter Guthrie, Haylee Guthrie, Amber (Louie), Adam Culpepper, Sara Beth Culpepper, Allyssa Culpepper, Morgan Culpepper (Laura), Wesley Norred; great grandchildren, Link, Grady, Paige, Eleanor Ruth, Miriam, Josephine, Kai, Ma'Lahni, Shane, Charlie, Jack, Logan, Irelan, Holyn, Ayden; best friends, Marion and Linda Beasley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald Culpepper; parents, Perry William and Annie Mae (Wilson) Martin; brother, Perry Wayne Martin; nephew, Steve Martin.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Alabama Cemetery in Arcadia, Louisiana. Burial will follow under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Rusty Schoonover, Billy Montgomery, Clay Culpepper, Cody Montgomery, Sam Montgomery and Adam Culpepper.
The family would like to extend a Special Thank You to Amy Tolar for the love, care and dedicated support that she provided for Ms. Ruth.