Ruth Alvonia

Fitts

Ruth Alvonia Griswold Fitts, of Richmond, died June 26, 2026. She was the youngest of twelve children born to James and Blanche Griswold on August 9, 1930 in Newnan, Georgia.  Ruth's mother died when she was three years old leaving her to be raised by her older siblings. She was educated in Georgia until the age of fifteen when she and her brother "Mell" moved to Detroit, Michigan.

In 1947, there was a party at another brother's house and a family friend, Norman Thomas was in the Navy on leave from California and brought a friend with him, Emory A. Fitts, who took an extreme liking to Ruth. Before leaving to go back to base in California, he asked Ruth for her hand in marriage and for them to build a life together. He too was the youngest in his family with his mom dying while giving birth to him.  On January 13, 1948, Ruth and Emory was married with Norman Thomas and Marion Griswold (Ruth's  sister) as witnesses to their union.

When Emory was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1953, he, Ruth and their two children, Diane and Emory Jr, moved to Detroit to start a new life from where they remained until 1956. In 1956, another son, Wendell, had been born and the family moved to New York where Emory accepted a job opportunity working with his brother, Calvin.

Ruth and Emory Sr. were hard working and honest, starting out as superintendent to the building the family lived in with both of them working two and three jobs at a time.  Through the years tough decisions were made to keep a family structure in tact while working, raising eight children as well as supporting other family members that needed a leg up.

Education and stability were important to them as they led by example with both of them furthering their education. Ruth became an L.P.N. in 1973 and continued to further her education after moving to Virginia. Through their hard work, they moved their family from a basement apartment in NY (1956 - 1964) to a house in E. Orange, New Jersey (1964-1968), to this time building a house in Queens Vlg., NY. 1969 - 1987.  They later sold that house and moved to Richmond, Virginia.

Both Emory Sr. and Ruth joined Trinity Baptist  Church and quickly became active members until Emory Sr. became ill and passed away in 2007. Around 2016, Ruth's health issues began and in December 2024 escalated to her being under hospice care. Her son Gregory was her caregiver until January 2026 when her daughter Diane moved her into her home until her passing on June 26, 2026.

Ruth Fitts touched so many lives leaving a legacy of determination,  kindness and boldness, teaching that with faith all things are possible.  Ruth was blessed because she was a prisoner of hope...God can only work where there is faith and before faith you have to have hope, "Zachariah 9:1-2".

Left to mourn and cherish her memory are her devoted daughter and caregiver, Diane, devoted son and caregiver, Gregory; sons, Wendell and Tyrone;  twenty grandchildren, including two devoted granddaughters, Shaniqua and Kiara; twenty eight great-grandchildren, including one devoted great-grandson, Harry, who "saved her life"; three great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, Gladys Fitts; friends, one close friend since the age of fifteen, Geraldine Reed; neighbors...too many to mention by name...please know the family is eternally grateful for whatever role you played in her life.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 10 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Rev. Marcus Martin eulogist. Interment Mount Calvary Cemetery.