Obituaries

Ruth Ann Rawls Elbert, age 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born on January 7, 1942 to her parents, Walter and Ruby Rawls.

Ruth had been a life-long resident of Independence, KY, before moving to the Cottingham Retirement Community two years prior to her passing there. She enjoyed her time there developing new friendships and participating in daily activities and was known to friends there as the “Corn Hole Queen”.

Ruth was a dedicated and hardworking woman who served as a housekeeper at Atria Senior Living in Crestview Hills and many years as a waitress at Ponzer’s Restaurant in Independence. She took pride in her work and the relationships she built along the way.

Throughout her life, Ruth stayed active and involved in many pursuits. She was a devoted member of the Independence Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and enjoyed bowling, Bingo, camping, dancing, fishing, reading, sewing and other needle crafts. Above all else, Ruth treasured time spent with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband (of 53 years), Herbie R. Elbert; father, Walter Rawls (Naomi); mother, Ruby Clark; brothers, James and Eddie Rawls; sister, Alice Young; and step-brothers, James Daniel and Lloyd Daniel.

Ruth is lovingly survived by her children, Kathy Bach (Joe), Shirley Thornberry, and Jeff Elbert (Julie); her sisters, Martha Messingschlager and Mary Boyle; sister-in-law, Alice Rawls; grandchildren, Tara Leen (Tony), Adam Bach (Kristen), Chad Bach (Cameo), Keith Placke (Denise), Chris Meyer (Ashley), Mekenzie Ziegler (Rob), Jacob Elbert (Maddie), and Alec Elbert; step-grandchildren, Nick Day (Ashley), Jessica Fitzwater, and Justin Meranda; and eighteen great-grandchildren, all of whom will deeply miss her.

Visitation for Ruth will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with her funeral service beginning at noon at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, 11382 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051. Father Joshua Lange will preside over the service. Interment will follow at St. Cecilia Cemetery in Independence.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the Parkinson's Foundation.