Jeanetta Ruth Mershon, 85, of Portsmouth, OH, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Southern Ohio Hospice Center in Portsmouth. She was born on February 9, 1940, in Portsmouth, a daughter of the late William Jennings Ratcliff and Myrtle Mae Jenkins Ratcliff.
Ruth was deeply passionate about her Christianity and her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Edward Mershon Jr.; two sisters, Jean Ryan and Evelyn Johnson; and one brother, Junior Ratcliff.
She is survived by three daughters: Sandra (Perry) Hart of West Portsmouth, OH; Pam (Fred) Angel of South Shore, KY; and Rhonda (Mark) Hammond of McDermott, OH. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Zachary (Danielle) Hamer, Michael (Brenda) Hamer, and Kirstie (Russell) Diehl, all of Columbus, OH; Nicholas Angel of Morehead, KY; Bradley (Mary) Angel of Columbus, OH; Angel Ann Hammond of McDermott, OH; and Emily Ruth (Josh) Holsinger of Portsmouth, OH. Additionally, she is survived by five great-grandchildren: Davy Hamer, Galen Hamer, Violet Hamer, Callum Angel, and a Baby Boy Diehl expected to arrive in August 2025. She also leaves two sisters, Irene Monteith of Portsmouth, OH, and Phyllis Timberlake of Wheelersburg, OH, as well as several other family members and friends who will greatly miss her.
A graveside service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Scioto Burial Park, located at 4757 McDermott-Pond Creek Rd., McDermott, OH, with Pastor Pete Shaffer officiating. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Morton-Hunt Family Funeral Home in South Shore, KY. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to SOMC Hospice Center, at 2201 25th ST, Portsmouth, OH. 45662, or the Nauvoo Methodist Church at 1410 5Th St. West Portsmouth, OH. 45663.
