Mrs. Ruth VanDevender Haggard 83, of Preston, Miss., passed away at her home Thursday, May 23, 2019. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, May 25, 2019, at 2 p.m., at Vernon Baptist Church near Preston. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to services.

Mrs. Haggard was born April 10, 1936, to the late Thomas Ralph and Mattie Grace Weaver VanDevender (Higginbotham) in Kemper County, Miss. and grew up in Noxubee County, where she lived for 26 years. She attended Shuqualak High School. She married Royce Haggard on February 14, 1968, and moved to Kemper County where she made her home for the rest of her life. Mrs. Haggard was a lifetime member of Vernon Baptist Church near Preston.

Mrs. Haggard is survived by her daughter: Janie R. Gregg of Shuqualak; and her son, Thomas E. Haggard of Preston. She also leaves three grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, as well as two step-sisters: Doris Goodin of Macon and Dean VanDevender of Preston.

Memorials may be made to Baptist Children's Village, 114 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon MS is honored to be entrusted with the service arrangements.