Ruth Long Whichard

     Ruth Long Whichard of Little Rock, AR slipped away peacefully in her sleep on July 8, 2025. Born January 23, 1945 in Palestine, Arkansas, “so far back up in the woods, you could hear the panthers howl at night,” Ruth was the youngest daughter of Pentecostal evangelist, Rev James I. Long. In the early 50’s the Long Family Gospel Band featuring Rev Long and four of Ruth’s six siblings, blazed a trail of glory across the south from New Orleans to Alabama and as far north as Chicago. She never learned to play an instrument—Ruth’s unbridled imagination led her to take up the pen over the piano.

     Ruth attended Judsonia High School before enrolling in nursing school at UAMS. Though she served as a caregiver for much of her professional career, Ruth spent the 60’s and 70’s satisfying her thirst for adventure. In her early 20’s, Ruth moved across the pond to England where she worked as an international fashion model. Blessed with a brilliant mind and a razor-sharp wit, Ruth was a gifted writer, penning hundreds of poems, short stories, and plays. The witty repartee between Ruth’s fictional characters caused them to leap off the page as sure as Mark Twain’s celebrated jumping frog. When friends in Hollywood convinced her to add screenplays and TV scripts to her repertoire, Ruth accepted several exciting opportunities in the U.S. and abroad where she met a number of Hollywood luminaries including Fred McMurray, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward.

     Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Rev James I. Long and Linnie Mae Long, her sister, Joyce Long Ellis (Jim), and brothers Daniel Joseph Long, John Nathan Long (Teresa), Paul David Long (Loretta), and James William Long (Phyllis), and her beloved long-time companion, Mouse. She is survived by her son, James Thomas Whichard III (Darlene) of Fountain City, Indiana, her beloved grandson, Christopher James Whichard of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and her sister, Lois Ann Hargrove of North Little Rock. Ruth was especially fond of her former daughter-in-law Sandy Pool (Gary) of Conway, and her daughter, Ashley Farr of Russellville, AR, and her long-time companion, Miss Kitty.

     A memorial service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR., on Wednesday July 16, 2025. Family will receive visitors at 11:00 am with funeral services beginning at noon. Interment to follow at Mayflower Cemetery, Mayflower, AR. 

Ruth was a champion of women and children and animals in need of food and shelter. Donations may be made in her honor to Women & Children First, Family Service Center, (501) 376-3219; Little Rock Animal Village, or North Little Rock Animal Shelter.

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. 501-758-1170.