Ruth Ammerman Harney

Ruth Ammerman Harney died peacefully on March 10, 2025, at the age of 105 years. She was born Nov. 14, 1919, in Harrison Co, KY near Lair to Lucille Moore Ammerman and James Lester Ammerman. She moved with her family to St. Louis, MO as a girl. The family returned to Kentucky in 1925, lived in Paris briefly, and then moved to Shawhan where she grew up. She attended Ruddles Mills School, graduating in 1937. She and her family were members of the Shawhan Presbyterian Church, which her parents and grandparents helped to build. Ruth attended Eastern State Teacher’s College (now Eastern Kentucky University) in Richmond, KY, graduating in 1941. From 1941 to 1946 she taught at Litchfield, KY, Mt. Sterling, KY, and Little Rock, AK. In 1944, she married Arthur M. Harney, Jr., upon his return stateside during WWII. In 1948, they moved to the family farm on Lake Road, Bourbon Co., where they farmed and raised their four children.
Throughout her life, Ruth was dedicated to the care of her youngest child who was born with cerebral palsy as well as that of her other children and many extended family members. Ruth taught typing at Harrison County High School in Cynthiana, KY from 1960 to 1974. She was active in the Ruddles Mills Christian church throughout her adult life until she could no longer drive, and she enjoyed her friends and activities with the Bourbon County Homemakers. Following her husband’s death in 2002, Ruth moved to Bourbon Heights in Paris, KY where she maintained an active and independent life for many years. At the end, she was able to remain in her apartment until her death, according to her wishes and with the help of an extraordinary group of caregivers.
Ruth was predeceased by her daughter Mary Beth, her husband Arthur, her sisters Elizabeth Mayes and Eloise Letton, and her daughter-in-law Ann Richart Harney. She is survived by three children, Jim Harney of Harrodsburg, Tom (Linda Batte) Harney of Frankfort, and Martha (David) Stipanuk of Philadelphia, PA; four grandchildren, Peter Stipanuk, Rachel (Stipanuk) Melnick, Daniel Stipanuk, and Nicole (Nikki) Harney; and three great granddaughters, Hazel Ruth Melnick, Iris Sylvia Melnick, and Hunter Rose Green.
A memorial service will be held at the chapel at Bourbon Heights on Saturday, March 29 at 11 AM. Burial will be at the Paris Cemetery. Hinton- Turner funeral home is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Ruddles Mills Christian Church (3804 Ruddles Mills Millersburg Rd., Paris, KY 40361) or Bluegrass Care Navigators (1733 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington KY 40504). www.hintonturner.com