Helen Ruth Reffit

Helen Ruth Reffit departed this life on December 12, 2020. Born June 4, 1936 in Cincinnati, OH the youngest child of the late Gus & Sarah LeMasters Reffit. She was a 1954 graduate of Green High School. Ruth spent 21 years in Piedras Negras, Mexico as a missionary working as a Field Superintendent for World for Christ Missions. She also served as President and Administrator for Orphans for Christ in Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass, Texas. She was a Licensed Child Care Administrator for the State of Texas and served three years on the Texas State Board of Advisors for the Department of Children’s Services, an ordained Minister of the Christian Baptist Association serving in many capacities with her local church and conference. The most recent as President of World for Christ Missions. She also served as General Sunday School Superintendent and Ohio District Superintendent. Her legacy will live on through the 13 children she adopted, over 40 children she helped raise, and hundreds of others she had a positive influence on. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Norma Moreno, Tita Moreno, Mary Ann Urista and her son Gerald Reffit. 3 sisters, Hessie Scherer, Manilla Marshbank and Pauline Rust. Four brothers, Emery, William, Gus and Russell Reffit. She is survived by 7 sons, Miguel Reffit of Orlando, FL, Hector (Jennifer) Reffit and Mark (Stephanie) Reffit of Minford Ohio, Manuel (Peaches) Moreno, Fermin (Carmen) Mercado, Leonardo (Sylvia) Mercado of Rome, Ga, and Daniel Garza of Eagle Pass Texas. 9 Daughters, Teresa Roberts of Piedras Negras, Mexico, Patti (Joe) Conkel of Portsmouth, Sonia (Gustavo) Robles and Yesenia Reffit and Irene Patterson all of Jackson, Carol (JJ) Marx of Wheelersburg, Veronica (Jim) Jones of Otway and Sandra McGlone of Minford. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Also two faithful friends and sisters in Christ, Enola Kingery of Rosemount and Betty Jarrells of New Boston. She will be remembered by many friends and co-workers for her more than 60 years in the service of Our Lord. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday December 17 at North Moreland Christian Baptist Church with Pastor Paul Hagen officiating. Friends may call from 12 noon to 1:00 pm at the church. Burial will follow in Junior Furnace Cemetery under the direction of D.W. Swick Funeral Home in New Boston.