Ruth Elizabeth "Bessie" Phipps, age 84, of Dunkirk, MD passed away May 13, 2011. She was the daughter of James E. and Ruth (Revell) Ford, and was born November 7, 1926 in Nutwell, now part of Deale, MD. She was raised in Deale, and after the death of her father Ruth lived with her grandparents in Fairhaven, MD.

She married William Ernest Phipps July 21, 1943 and they farmed and raised their ten children in southern Anne Arundel and northern Calvert counties. She was a farm wife and homemaker, and also worked as a nursing aide at Calvert County Nursing Center for 13 years, retiring in 1995. She was an avid Redskins and Orioles fan and loved her find-a-word books. She also loved watching horse pulling contests at local county fairs.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Johnny, a grandson Charlie Phipps, a brother James Ford and sisters Mary Anna Barber and Alice Thelma Howes.

She is survived by daughters Mary Sutphin and Linda Trujillo of Lothian; sons Tommy, Mark and Ernie of Dunkirk; Ronnie of North Beach; Chester of Friendship and Charles and Dickie of Chesapeake Beach; and by a brother Calvin "Mac" Ford of Baltimore. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy in Ruth's name may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.

Visitation
May 17, 2011
7:00-9:00 P.M.
Location: Rausch Funeral Home - Owings, MD

Funeral Service
May 18, 2011
12:00 Noon
Location: Rausch Funeral Home - Owings, MD