Ruth Jennel Reed was born on March 15, 1953 in Grenada, Mississippi to Ellis Beck and Mary Lee Reed. Her early years were spent in Schlater where she attended Sam Balkin School. After moving to Greenville, she attended T.L. Weston and Greenville High Schools. She was married to Johnny Weathers for over twenty years and the mother of six children. Ruth was a certified nurse assistant and worked as a private caregiver until her health forced her to retire. Ruth was a member of New White Stone Missionary Baptist Church.