Mary Ruth Gale

Mary Burns Gale

Mary Burns Gale, Mary Ruth to her friends and RuRu to family, left this world on July 15, 2026. Minutes before, she had finished a slice of caramel cake, her favorite desert. But then, all deserts were her favorite. Her sweet tooth had to be a physical side effect of her abundant kindness and affection.

Mary Ruth was born October 6, 1941, to Mary Stinson Burns and W L Burns. She is the eldest of three siblings and acted as the protector, advocate, and second mom to sister Barbara Gibson and brother Ronnie Burns.

Mary Ruth graduated from Lee High School in 1959 and later met and married the late Robert Wesley, Bobby, Gale. Together, they had their son, the late Todd Gale, in 1968. She was convinced he would be her birthday present, but, as she liked to joke, he always took his time and arrived three days later on October 9th. Todd loved Mary Ruth dearly and she loved him with all her heart.

She worked at Hooker Chemical, which eventually transitioned to Eka Nobel, a member of the accounts receivable team, retiring after forty-one years. Her years of commitment shown to her employer paled in comparison to everlasting loyalty felt for her family and friends.

In life, she was a devoted member of Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church and practiced the tenets of faith daily.

Mary Ruth was a lady that could see the value in all things. She loved scavenging through thrift shops and was a collector of a great deal of treasures which she thoughtfully gifted to her friends and family. Generous and fair, she made it a point to ensure everyone around her received equal attention and care. That which she did not give away, found its place among the showcase of goodies on the shelves in her house or in her closet. Marveling in wonder, hours could be spent examining kick knacks tucked in to each nook and cranny of her home. You would rarely see Mary Ruth wearing the same outfit twice as she styled her thrifty finds expertly.

Family was at the center of Mary Ruth’s life, and she deeply cared for her nephew, nieces, and great niece, Mark Gibson, the late Lisa Gibson, Magen Cole, and Cloie Wheeler. One of Mary Ruth’s greatest joys in recent years was the time she was able to spend with the newest additions to the family, her great niece and nephews Laney, Levi and Cash. Much to Mary Ruth’s great delight, Cash, more punctual as a baby than Todd, shares her birthday. The absence of her comforting presence and bright smile will be felt at all future family gatherings.

Mary Ruth is preceeded in death by her husband, Bobby Gale, and her son, Todd Gale, by her parents, Mary Burns and WL Burns.

Mary Ruth is survived by her daughter-in-law, Stephanie McLain Gale, and her grandchildren, Storm McLain Gale and Robert Gunnar Gale. She loved her grandchildren fiercely and had an active hand in raising them, picking them up after school with snacks in the hotter months and blankets in the winter, teaching them how to use the VCR so they could watch the latest tape she picked out at Palmer Home Thrift, and hosting sleepovers most Saturday nights for years. They will carry her love, the loss of her, and the example she set throughout their lives.

She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Gibson (Johnny) and her brother, Ronnie Burns (Jackie) and by her loving nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers include Gunnar Gale, Mark Gibson, Trent Wheeler, Steve Cole, Joey Hudnall, and Web Gholson. In lieu of flower please make any memorials to Mt Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday July 18, 2026 at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel; burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the funeral home.