Luncheon: December 2024 – Ruth Ann Rigby

Ruth Ann Rigby was the guest speaker at the Unite Mississippi Equipping Luncheon held December 19 at the Forestry Building located on the campus of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

A native Mississippian who resides in Madison County, Ruth Ann Rigby, serves as the Chief  Development Officer at Capstone Wellness. Capstone Wellness has been dedicated to assistingindividuals and families in overcoming challenges related to trauma, substance abuse, mental health struggles, attachment issues, sexual compulsions, addictive behaviors, and more for over two decades.

Ruth Ann brings more than 26 years of experience in the behavioral health and addiction recovery field, with 27 years in recovery herself. She is a prominent figure in the recovery and mental health industry, having worked with some of the leading treatment providers in the nation. In 2022, she received the Dr. Jasper Chen See Volunteer Leadership Award from the National Association of Treatment Providers in recognition of her outstanding leadership, volunteerism, and mentorship to countless professionals.

Ruth Ann shared her powerful life story of “recovery, redemption, and restoration” which began in the early stages of her marriage. One night while leaving work, Ruth Ann stopped at a gas station on the corner of Watkins Drive and Beasley Road in Jackson and was brutally attacked by two men. She fought violently for her life while bystanders refused to intervene on her behalf. This traumatic event resulted in paralyzing night terrors and was the birth of her walk with addiction. Ruth Ann shared that her physician, who she visited three times a week for relief, was “her favorite drug dealer”. Within six months of the attack at the gas station, her addiction was out of control and Ruth Ann was ordered by the court to enter Whitfield, Mississippi’s State Hospital for treatment.

During treatment, Ruth Ann had to learn that she was “worthy of all the good things God does in her life. She was taught to put her Bible under the bed and when praying, to ask for acceptance and surrender. God took care of her from her walk with addiction to recovery.”

Ruth Ann’s “big awakening” was when she completely surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. Today, she understands that her purpose for serving God was a direct result of that terrible evening on the corner of Watkins Drive and Beasley Road. She is a “product of God’s grace and miracles which has allowed her to turn her pain into purpose. Ruth Ann will never not follow a call from God.”

We are all called to serve. 1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Please make plans to join Unite Mississippi on January 9, as we welcome guest speaker Chris Harper, CEO of BetterMan.

The Unite Mississippi Family would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.