Ruth LaMonte Obituary

Life-long educator, passionate advocate for social justice, and devoted humanitarian, the Reverend Dr. Ruth Ellen Bradbury LaMonte, 87, Episcopal Priest, Professor, Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother, died peacefully on her birthday on August 25, 2025, in Fairhope, Alabama. A woman of deep faith, intellect, and compassion, Ruth lived a life grounded in service, scholarship, and grace.
After leaving the family farm near Slocum Station, Ohio, part of an original territorial land grant to her American Revolutionary war veteran ancestor, Ruth attended Miami University of Ohio and was graduated from Ohio University. She received her master's degree from Morehead University, her PhD from Ohio State University, and her Doctor of Ministry from the University of the South at Sewanee. After her education in Ohio, Ruth moved to Birmingham to teach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was a resolute educator who shared her passion for learning and critical inquiry with students who were inspired by both her intellect and her deep humanity.
In 1975, she married Ed LaMonte. Together they raised a blended family of four children, spending many cherished years in their Glenwood Avenue home in Birmingham's Forest Park neighborhood.
Ruth's accomplishments were many. While it would be nearly impossible to list them all, the ones special to her included being a Fulbright Scholar to Jordan and chair of the Birmingham Sister City Commission. As a Fulbright Scholar, she traveled to the Middle East where she saw firsthand the daily strife of the Palestinian people. This experience sparked a passion for travel, an enthusiasm to study and embrace different cultures, a thirst for justice, and a commitment to empower the voiceless. For more than 30 years she advocated for the Palestinians, and as one friend commented - "the rest of the world is catching up to what she knew spiritually all along."
As a friend and mentor to thousands, Ruth left her mark on everyone who had the pleasure of sharing space with her. From playing the piano to being an excellent cook, she embraced experiences that connected her with those whom she loved. Whether delighting in a child's first encounter with nature or guiding adults in the classroom or the pulpit, Ruth possessed a rare gift for making each person she encountered feel that they were truly seen. In addition to the people in her life, she also adored the many pets which roamed her warm and loving home throughout the years. One person described her as "a gift to the world." And another friend beautifully put it - "she taught us how to love - and to love big and to love hard."
Brought up a Baptist, she later embraced and raised her children as Episcopalians. Ruth answered a call to ministry and served faithfully as an Episcopal priest, offering guidance, comfort, and strength to the lives she touched. She served churches in Birmingham, Bessemer, Mobile, Magnolia Springs and Chickasaw, Alabama. She was also interim priest in charge of a retreat center abbey in Scotland. Her academic work and ministry often intersected, reflecting her belief that faith and knowledge could together illuminate a path toward understanding and compassion.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice Adams and Robert William Bradbury, daughter Jennifer Adams Emnett LaMonte of Greenville, SC, two older brothers who died in infancy, and brother Glenn Adams Bradbury of Columbus, Ohio.
Ruth is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Edward Shannon LaMonte; her children Bradbury LaMonte, Rachel LaMonte, Matthew LaMonte (Mika); her grandson Christopher LaMonte, all of Birmingham; her son-in-law, Mark Johnson of Greenville, SC; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Grace Episcopal Church, 5712 First Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35212.
Memorial Donations can be made to:
Grace Episcopal Church (https://gracechurchwoodlawn.org).
North American Committee for St. George's College Jerusalem (https://www.stgeorgescollegejerusalemnac.org).