Ruth Ellis Gilpatrick Bryant Milliken

Funeral services for Ruth Ellis Gilpatrick Bryant Milliken, age 86, of Cookeville, will be Saturday, January 13th at 1:00 p.m. at Dyer Funeral Home. Internment will follow at West Cemetery. Bro. Sonny Gilpatrick and Bro. Jeff Randolph will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Mrs. Milliken ('Ma') passed from this life January 10, 2018 at Cookeville Regional Med Center after a brief illness. She was born on May 23,1931 in Algood, Tennessee to the late Dora Lee Gore Gilpatrick and George Madison Gilpatrick. Mrs Milliken was a retired homemaker but prior to that she was known by many in the community in the 60's-80's when she owned and operated Eastwood Market for 20 years. She took pride in it being a family owned market and always thought so much of the milk man, the bread man and other vendors. After retiring from the market, she enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and traveling. She was also well known for her country cooking and a hearty laugh that was unforgettable. No one ever went hungry in her presence. If anything, one of her goals in life was to feed you! She was a member of Boiling Springs Baptist church. She is survived by her husband Alvin Milliken, her daughter Sharon Mata and husband Reyes Mata Lopez, a son Bruce Bryant and wife Debra Bryant. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Heather Bryant, Dusty Bryant, Rachel Dildine and husband Brandon, and Reyshied Mata and wife Kristin, Trey Milliken, Megan Kazmerzak; and great grandchildren: Evann Bryant, Grayson Bryant, Lauren Dildine, Ava Bryant and Charlie Rey Mata. She is also survived by her brother Paul Gilpatrick and wife Maxine, a sister Ruby Rundell, sister in law Pauline Gilpatrick and several special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband Willard Bryant, two brothers George Gilpatrick and Everett Gore, two sisters Mable Littrell, Elsie Gore , brother in laws Floyd Littrell and Dick Rundell. Pallbearers will be Dusty Bryant, Grayson Bryant, Brandon Dildine, Kevin Young, Steve Gilpatrick, Keith Harmon, Aaron Walls, and Jeff Pryor. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Gilpatrick, Buddy Littrell, Jerry Pemberton, Reysheid Mata, Dan Verble, Dennis Milliken, JR Walls, Alton Gore, Danny Gore, Chuck Wilson and Aaron Walls. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to West Cemetery, c/o Jim McCaleb, 1223 Grider Road, Cookeville, TN 38506. Dyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, (931) 526-7158. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.dyerfh.com.