MARTHA HALSTEAD RUIS

Martha Ann Halstead Ruis, age 86, of Jakin, GA, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026, at Donalsonville Hospital.

Funeral services for Ms. Ruis will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Daughtry and Rev. Phillip Kirkland officiating. Interment will follow at 4:00 PM in the Attapulgus City Cemetery in Attapulgus, GA with Chris Kirkland, Christopher Blow, Vonnie Tinsley, Drew Kirkland, and Wes McKenzie serving as active pallbearers. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

Ms. Ruis was born in Cairo, GA on June 23, 1940, to Lauder Halstead and Vera McKown Halstead. She was a high school graduate and worked as a bookkeeper for Alfa Data Systems before retiring. She enjoyed spending time researching ancestory, quilting, sewing, and reading. She loved spending time with and talking to family. Over the years, she had been a vital part of ladies’ ministry programs. Ms. Ruis was especially fond of and loved her chihuahuas.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son-in-law, Rev. Phillip Kirkland and his wife Rhonda; her siblings, Margie McKenzie, Lowell Halstead, Earl Halstead and his wife Mariann, and Judy Blow; as well as her grandchildren, Drew Kirkland, David Kirkland, Danielle Mount and her husband Andy, Kyle Kirkland, Chris Kirkland and his wife Jessica, Aubry Moody, Renee Tinsley, and Vonnie Tinsley and his wife Ashley. Also surviving are fifteen great-grandchildren, one great- great-grandchild, along with several nephews and nieces, Amy Hall and her husband Doug, Wes McKenzie and his wife Susan, Christopher Blow, and Jennifer Halstead.

Ms. Ruis was preceded in death by her parents, Lauder and Vera Halstead; her daughter, Sheryl Kirkland; and a sister, Mary Halstead.