Ruth Harrington

Ruth Ann Parker Harrington, 71, died on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jordan Elliot Pitre; and her father, Hugh A. Parker, Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Gary D. Harrington of Gulfport; her daughter, Anne Pitre of Diamondhead; her mother, Dorothy E. Parker of Gulfport; her brothers, Hugh A. (Pierrette) Parker, III of St. Malo, France and David E. (Judy) Parker of Gulfport; and her sister, Mary Corbin of Gulfport; as well as a vast extended family and network of friends.

A native of Jackson, Ruth graduated from Wingfield High School in 1968 and attended Mississippi University for Women.  She then joined her family in Gulfport, where she chose to spend the rest of her life.  She was an active member of KNS Theatre Company in Biloxi during the 1990’s, where she served as stage manager for numerous musical productions including South Pacific, Oklahoma, Chicago, Anything Goes and many others.  She was also a loving and supportive parent and found her place and second family among her fellow parents and the children of St. James Elementary School class of 1996.

After the monumental task of rebuilding their historic home after Hurricane Katrina, Ruth and Gary both retired and moved back to Northwood Hills in Gulfport and lived a tranquil life filled with art and flowers that they enjoyed with their beloved pets Phoebe, Remy and Ollie.  They were married for 29 years.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Memorial Hospital Oncology Team for their incredible support in her final weeks.

Ruth was never one to stand on ceremony, so her final curtain call sendoff reception will be held on Saturday, January 29th at 2 p.m. at Riemann Family Funeral Home at 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.