Mrs. Ruth Ann Teague Reece, age 83 of Ellijay, GA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4th, 2026.

Mrs. Reece was born on April 20, 1942, in Ellijay, Georgia, to the late Oscar Teague and the late Maggie Lee Henson Teague. She was known for her sweetest smile and kind, gentle spirit. A faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Ellijay, her life was guided by her strong love for the Lord. She cherished her family deeply and found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially sewing, quilting, gardening, and canning. Her dedication to her faith and family, along with her loving nature, will be remembered always by those who knew and loved her. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Reece is preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Mr. Ruel E. Reece.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda (Kent) Sanford of Ellijay, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Ray (Leslie Ann) Reece of Ellijay, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Herbert (Lou Ann) Teague of Ellijay, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Kathy (Leo) McKee of Alma, Arkansas; 5 grandchildren, Reece (Kerri Ann) Sanford, Courtney (Damon) Smith, Caitlin (Alex) Neal, Justin (Holly) Banks, and Brady (Autumn) Banks; great-grandchildren, William Sanford, Wesley Sanford, Cohen Smith, and Jude Banks, and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral Services to honor the life of Mrs. Reece will be held on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. from the Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Sam Rickett, Rev. Russell Burt, and Rev. Michael Cantrell officiating. Music will be provided by the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir. Graveside Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Rev. John Reece officiating. The following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Reece Sanford, Justin Banks, Brady Banks, Damon Smith, Alex Neal, and Billy Jones.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. On Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, the day of the service, the funeral procession will leave the funeral home at approximately 1:30 p.m. Rev. Tony Withrow will lead the family in a word of prayer.

Flowers will be accepted; however, the family respectfully asks that no food be brought to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Mr. Branson Chastain @ 84 River Ridge, Ellijay, GA 30536.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is entrusted with these arrangements.