Ruth Kerry Rachal

Ruth Kerry Rachal passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 three days short of her 92nd birthday. She was born on December 31, 1929 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Thad and Melissa (Vallery) Kerry and raised in Derry, Louisiana. The oldest of 8 children, she served as a second mother to all of her siblings. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, John “Tick” Rachal and son-in-law, Francis “Tiger” Roussell. She is survived by her daughters, Betty Ruth Rachal Roussell and Glenda Rachal. Ruth was known as MoMo to her grandchildren upon whom she doted: Stacey Roussell, Chris Roussell (Alison), and Reagan Roussell (Stacey). It was her special privilege to become a great-grandmother to Caroline Landry, Meredith Landry, John Hunt Roussell, Lily Roussell, and Cade Roussell. Ruth lived in the Greater New Orleans area most of her adult life after spending so many years moving throughout the south in the early years of her marriage for John’s work. Ruth’s heart was always yearning for the Pine Tree covered hills where she was raised in Derry on the edge of Kisatchie National Forest. She will be remembered for her love of family gatherings and her excellent cooking (especially flat biscuits, mashed potatoes made with an entire stick of butter, and Crisco fried chicken pieces that she cut in such a way that each piece seemed to be both dark and white meat at the same time). Saying that she loved to talk on the phone and share good gossip would be an understatement. She was quick to laugh, most especially at herself like the time she described a news story about someone walking down the street “very, very nude.” We all wondered aloud what the difference between “nude” and “very, very nude” might be – to which she bent over howling and crying in laughter. Ruth was devoted to praying to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, attended mass as frequently as she could when healthy, and clung to her rosary with a tight grip during times of stress and anxiety. A funeral is being planned at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Chopin, Louisiana on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with burial in Emmanuel’s cemetery immediately following. Family friend, Fr. Louis Sklar will be presiding. Donations in her memory to St. Michael’s Special School at 1522 Chippewa Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 would be most appreciated. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com .