Fannie Ruth Sosby Culpepper

Mrs. Fannie Ruth Sosby Culpepper, 85, wife of Kenneth Smith Culpepper of Toccoa, was lovingly welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. 

Born June 8, 1936 in Stephens County, she was the daughter of the late Hubert Lee and Birdie Mae Smith Sosby.  Mrs. Culpepper grew up in the Eastanollee community and graduated from Eastanollee High School in 1951.  Soon after graduation, she moved to Atlanta to begin her career.  After a couple of years, she returned home and quickly fell in love.  Kenneth and Ruth were married on November 25, 1955 at the bride’s home.  They were married by her uncle, Bill Smith.  The couple honeymooned in Franklin, North Carolina.  After a year of marriage, the couple started their family.  Ruth stayed home to raise their children and take care of the home. 

Once her children were old enough, she went to work at Wright’s Manufacturing.  She also worked at Penline and then at Toccoa Casket Company as a seamstress.  Mrs. Culpepper left the work force to keep her grandchildren.  For many years she kept children in her home and loved those children like her own.  Mrs. Culpepper returned to work and was employed with Stephens County School System.  She retired after 15 years of service in the nutrition department.

Mrs. Culpepper was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and the Fulbright Sunday School Class.  She served many years on the bereavement committee, Vacation Bible School, WMU, and was a member of the adult choir.  She was a loving mother and Nanny.  Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.  Mrs. Culpepper enjoyed baking cakes, sewing, and tending to her home. 

In addition to her husband of 66 years, Mrs. Culpepper is survived by her children and their spouses: Smitty (Renee’) Culpepper, Debbie (Kent) Payne, and Tim (Elaine) Culpepper, all of Toccoa; her six grandchildren and their spouses: Cory (Martha) Payne of Maysville, Morgan (Andy) Adams of Atlanta, Megan (Adam) Loudermilk of Baldwin, Amy (Brad) Howe of Toccoa, Carli Brownlee of Winterville, and Collin (Kristen) Culpepper of Toccoa; also ten great-grandchildren: Maddie, Wyatt, and Rhett Jenkins of Maysville, Gracie and Paislee Howe of Toccoa, Cate and Aiden Loudermilk of Baldwin, Addie Grace Brownlee of Winterville, and Oakley and Oliver Culpepper of Toccoa, and a number of nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by sister-in-law Evelyn Sosby of Cornelia, brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Betty Culpepper of Carnesville, and sister-in-law Amelia Culpepper of Toccoa, along with a number of special friends and relatives.   In addition to her parents, Mrs. Culpepper was preceded in death by her brothers Jack and Robbie Sosby, sister, Joyce English and brother-in-law, Calvin Culpepper.

Funeral services will be held at 2 O’clock P.M. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at New Hope Baptist Church with the Reverend Tommy Childress and the Reverend David Sosebee officiating.  The following will serve as pallbearers: Cory Payne, Collin Culpepper, Brad Howe, Adam Loudermilk, Andy Adams, Terry English and Stan Culpepper.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 6-8 P.M. at Acree-Davis Funeral Home and from noon on Wednesday until time to leave for the service.   

Interment will follow in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Fannie Ruth Sosby Culpepper.