Ruth was born in Glencoe Alabama on September 8, 1931, to Helen and Marion Tillison. She was one of nine children, and her siblings were staggered female/male in order with Marie, Tommy, Cynthia, Lamar, Ruth, Giles, Eleanor, Lowery, and Lois.

When she was a young girl, the family moved from Glencoe (Tillison Bend) Alabama to Atlanta Ga. where her dad started a job with Southern Railway. She attended West Fulton High School and later met Roy Waits whom she later married in February 1951. She became a housewife and Mom raising two kids (Wanda and Mike) until they started high school.

She went to work in the late 60’s as a cosmetologist at Super X Drugs (Greenbriar Mall) where she met pharmacist Marvin Griffin. Later she would follow Marvin to Riverdale where he opened Heart Pharmacy. She worked for Heart Pharmacy as a pharmacist assistant until she retired in her late 70’s.

Despite developing Crohn's disease at a young age, losing her husband in 1983, and losing her daughter in 2002, she always put her trust in God, her faith never wavered, and she never complained.

Ruth was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sibling, and a true friend to those who knew her.

Her hobbies included gardening, traveling, fishing, bird watching, and “She loved nature”. She was devoted to her church and always enjoyed visiting the assisted living/nursing homes where she would love on the elderly and try to bring a smile to their face!

Ruth was preceded in death by Marion Dewitt Tillison (Father), Helen Ivie Tillison (Mother), Roy Taylor Waits (Husband), Wanda Ruth Little (daughter).

She is survived by her son Roy Michael Waits (Debbie), Grandsons Jeremy Michael Waits (Heather), Justin Taylor Waits (Nicki), Zachary Jordan Waits (Jessica), Robert Jody Little, Great grandchildren Abby Waits, Parker Waits, Grant Waits, Bryson Waits, Hudson Waits, Allyson Diedrich, Brother and Sister Lowery Tillison (Sonya) and Lois Spradley.

The family of Ruth Waits will be accepting visitors on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, from the hours of 10:00 AM until noon. Following the visitation, a graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery at 1:00 PM, (1173 Cascade Circle SW, Atlanta Ga.) officiated by Glenn Stringham, Retired Senior Pastor at Fayetteville First Baptist Church.