Ruth Hill Ciraldo

Ruth Hill Ciraldo passed away peacefully on the morning of May 4.  Ruth was born in Randolph County, Alabama, to Charles William Hill and Grace Chaffin Hill.  The family moved to Georgia where she graduated from Tifton High School, excelling both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Ruth attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, completing her psychology degree in 1948. She ventured to Atlanta and began her career at the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services placing children for adoption. Shortly thereafter, she married Alfred Ciraldo, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Atlanta. They were blessed with 4 children, and while leading a busy family life, she found time for her passions of gardening and young people.  Ruth was one of Atlanta’s first Montessori school teachers, Cub Scout Den Mother for Briarlake Pack 528, and volunteer for the Atlanta Children’s Theater. She was also a founding member of the Breckenridge Garden Club. Not one to sit still, she studied and passed the state real estate exam, working as a residential real estate agent with Walter Scott Realty for many years.  Ruth will be fondly remembered as a devoted wife, caring mother, loving grandmother, and avid Georgia Tech sports fan. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, Al, and daughter Barbara.  Ruth is survived by 3 children: Ruthie Grantham (Mark), Roseanne Thompson (Kirby) and Al Ciraldo (Denise); 7 grandchildren: Betsy Thompson Oliver (Louis), Paige Grantham Leatherman (Shea), Macie Thompson, Thomas Grantham (Rachel),  Kip Thompson (Allison), A J and Matthew Ciraldo; and 4 great grandchildren: Louis Henry Oliver, Katherine Allan Oliver, Ruthie Shea Leatherman, and Winnie Hill Leatherman.