Ruth Liveakos

Tupelo - RUTH KRUDOP LIVEAKOS, 92, died Monday, February 4, 2008, at her residence after an extended illness. A Mobile, Alabama native, she was born May 3, 1915 to the late Richard Camper and Mabel Olivia Bickell Krudop. On May 31, 1946 she married Gus Liveakos. She earned her bachelors degree from the University of Montevallo and later received her masters degrees in speech and English from the University of Alabama. During World War II she served her country at the Pentagon, composing the letters sent to families of fallen soldiers. After the war she then began her 50 year career in public education, teaching in California, Alabama, Norfolk, Virginia and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before moving to Tupelo in 1957. She taught math, history, speech and drama at Tupelo High School from 1959 to 1985. The performing arts center of the school bears her name as a tribute to her contributions. During this time she was named the Cowboy Maloney Outstanding Speech Teacher of the Year in 1985. She was also one of the founders of the Tupelo Community Theatre and director of the organizations first play, Laura. Each year the Ruth Liveakos Scholarship is given in her honor. She was named to the Mississippi Thespians Hall of Fame in 1989. She was also very active in the community, participating in Meals on Wheels, the Alumni Association of the University of Montevallo. The Altrusa Club named her Woman of the Year. She was a very dedicated member of All Saints Episcopal Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher, and sang in the choir, and was a founding member of Daughters of the King.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Rev. LaRae Rutenbar, the Rev. Ray Goodman and the Rev. Gene Asbury officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Gus Liveakos of Tupelo; two daughters, Merrell Rogers, and husband, Dr. Lee Rogers, and Laura Liveakos Colatrella, all of Tupelo; one son, Richard Liveakos (Gloria Lind), of Pennsacola, Fla.; one sister, Lauranne Riley of Tuscalossa, Ala.; five grandchildren, Sims Rogers Polk and husband, Chad, of Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Hart Rogers and wife, Kate, of Boston, Mass., Barrett Liveakos of Annapolis, MD, Alexis (Lexie) Colatrella and John C. (Bubba) Colatrella both of Walls, N.J.; one great-grandson, Bentley Polk of Nashville, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Bellaire Krudop.

Pallbearers will be her Nephews.

Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Parrish Hall of All Saints Episcopal Church.

Memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 608 W. Jefferson, Tupelo, MS 38804; or the Ruth Liveakos Scholarship, University of Montevallo, Station 6215, Montevallo, AL 35115.