Ruth Shannon Bellar's Obituary
Ruth Shannon Bellar, age 96, of Springfield, TN, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025 in Lakeland, FL,, leaving behind a faithful and faith-filled legacy of Christian devotion and service. Born on January 11, 1929, in Springfield, TN, Ruth was the only daughter of Dawson and Lessie Shannon.
Displaying grace, gratitude, even grit, she selflessly served her family, and friends, and her community throughout her life.
From cradle to grave, Ruth was an active, contributing member of Springfield Baptist Church. She sang in the choir, and sometimes played piano or organ, from the time she was a teenager until her mid-80s.
Ruth also had a lifelong love of sports. On the weekends, she wanted to watch her favorite teams play and keep up with other scores. While she certainly had an affinity for Tennessee (unless they were playing Vanderbilt, then she rooted for Vandy), any SEC team or rivalry would do. As her grandchildren went to college, whether football or basketball, she was tickled if she could find Furman, Samford or Belmont playing on a channel. She rooted for any team associated with her family, so when her oldest granddaughter married a “Cheese Head,” she started rooting for the Packers. And because of hometown and family ties, she always loved following the collegiate and professional baseball career of Sonny Gray.
Professionally, many will remember her as a kindergarten teacher at SBC for several years and then later as a business office assistant at Payne Chevrolet, where she worked even part-time until the age of 91. The start of the COVID pandemic sent her home, but she embraced the change with the same resilience and perseverance she carried throughout her life. She then filled her time with YMCA classes three times a week and church activities until her 94th birthday when she made the move to Florida’s warmer weather and time with family there—a gift both to her and to those who cherished her. She embraced her new chapter with joy, taking comfort in the sunshine, playing chair volleyball (she had played in SBC’s church volleyball league when she was in her 70s), and more time spent with Florida loved ones. She also enjoyed being a part of Long Hollow Church’s online worship services on Sunday nights with her son as they watched and worshiped together.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ruth’s greatest joy came from time spent with her family and being known as “Nandy” to her grands and their friends. Those who married into the family, she also considered to be “her children.” She is survived by her daughter and son-in-love, Vivian and Kelvin Penuel of White House; her son and daughter-in-love Don and Lorrie Bellar of Lakeland, FL; grandchildren (including “in-loves”): Hayley and P. J. Moore of Memphis, Peyton and Julie Penuel of Gallatin, Jordan and Olivia Bellar of Tampa, Mason and Branden Wilkerson of Lakeland, and Blake Bellar of Nashville; and eight great-grandchildren: Shepherd, Ruthie, and Bellar Moore; Haddie Penuel; Brayden and Bryson Wilkerson; and Hudson and Griffin Bellar.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dawson and Lessie Shannon, whom she lovingly cared for in their aging years; a brother, Douglas Shannon (who was born 17 years prior to her birth); and her husband of 57 years, Leon Bellar of Springfield, to whom she also was deeply devoted to throughout an extended illness.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Springfield Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Gideons International or Springfield Baptist Church.
Ruth will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, selflessness, generosity, and faith will continue in all who knew her. Her family and friends find comfort in knowing she is now at peace and in the presence of Jesus, reunited with those who went before her. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
For any who can’t attend and would like to join, her service will be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sbctn1866
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