Ruthie Mae Gaines was born on July 5, 1941 to the parentage of Easter Mullins and Ira Lee Watkins in Ellis County. She was an only child. Her mother died at childbirth, so she was raised by her grandparents, Martha Ruth Mullins and Anthony Mullins, Sr.

Ruthie accepted Christ at an early age and was united and baptized at Cooper Chapel Baptist Church Forreston, Texas under the leadership of Rev I.L. Calicutt. Upon the death of her grandfather, she moved to Dallas to live with her aunt and Uncle, Pauline and Lewis Trammel. While in Dallas, she united with Good Street Baptist Church, under the pastorage of Dr. C. A. W. Clark, before moving back to Forreston.

Ruthie dropped out of school at an early age and returned back at 42 years of age to get her Certificate of High School Equivalency in January 1981.This was a great accomplishment.

Ruthie worked for Jo Hardin and Herman Marcus in downtown Dallas which is now known as the West End. She was also employed at E-Systems
in Grand Prairie. Upon moving to Waxahachie, Ruthie did domestic work until her health began failing in 2010.

Ruthie married Buddy Jewell Miller in 1959 and shared two children until his death. She later married Jessie Lee Gaines in 1972 and the couple remained faithful until his death in 1994.

When she and husband Jessie moved to Waxahachie Texas in 1979, they united with Zion Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J.T. Kennard, later Rev. Hardy Furlow and Rev. O. V. Shead and the current Pastor Rev. Philemon Jackson. Ruthie was active in many ministries, and served faithfully as Financial Secretary, Pastor's Care Ministry President, Secretary of Sunday School, President of the Choir, Usher Ministry and Program Coordinator. In 2013 Ruthie moved to Grand Prairie to live with her daughter and son-in-law, where she soon united with Sunset Baptist Church under the leadership of her Pastor and Son in Law Dr. Matthew C. McGruder.

Ruthie leaves to cherish her memories her loving daughter Cynthia McGruder (Dr. M. C. McGruder)
Grand Prairie, TX; loving son, Allan J. Miller (Bridgette) Cedar Hill, TX; uncle/brother Thomas (T.C.) Mullins Dallas, TX; one granddaughter Shaniece J. Miller Waxahachie, TX; bonus grandsons Curtis McGruder, Dallas, TX, James McGruder (Nancy) Grand Prairie, Michael McGruder
(Antionette) Cedar Hill, TX, and B.J. Ray, Cedar Hill, TX; bonus great grandson Corde' Ray; a host of cousins, friends and a special friend and caregiver Ms. Marjorie Derrough.

In essence, Ruthie Gaines was a loving, kind, praying woman, a Great Mother, and Grand Mother. She was the matriarch of our family.

Ruthie fought a good fight and her life exemplified II Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought a good Fight; I have finished my Course; I have kept the Faith"

She will be greatly missed and will ALWAYS hold a special place in the hearts of those who loved her: Her devoted family, her chosen extended family, her many friends and her loving church members.