Soul of 78: Ruth Grace

Chick-Fil-A of Jasper

Words by Suzie Walton | Image by Ryan McGill

Each morning at 5 a.m., Ruth Grace spends time with God in devotion. Two hours later, she is hard at work, serving others and allowing Christ to guide her servant’s heart.

Ruth has never shied away from hard work or leading by example, even if it involves risk-taking. Thirty-three years ago, changes began taking place in her life, but two things remained constant: her love for the Lord and her willingness to serve others.

In high school, Ruth thought she would find enjoyment working in a hospital and never considered a chicken franchise would eventually bring her so much pleasure. But all that was about to change with one course requirement.

After graduating from Winston County High School in 1987, Ruth decided to attend Walker College and major in nursing. That was before she realized nursing involved a course she didn’t like. “I hate chemistry,” she says laughing, “so I changed my major to social work.”

Two years later, Ruth joined a business chain that became more like family than a job and allowed her to serve others. Before August 18, 1989, she had never heard of or even eaten at Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Now she was behind the scenes as a cook until a new operator took over three years later, told her she was “too valuable to be stuck in the kitchen” and moved her to the front counter. She even met her future husband at the front counter of the Jasper Mall location in 1992.

By 2001, Ruth knew she wanted to be a restaurant operator. “I took a chance and paid money to run my own business,” she explains. “I put in an application and started as an operator in 2002.”

Two years later, she had moved her business across from Walmart.

“The draw for me was to be closed on Sunday, to be my own boss, and to touch lives,” she says, smiling with satisfaction. “I love having the opportunity to serve others and giving young people a chance.”

This servant leader and her employees are known for a motto that thrifty Chick-Fil-A founder and owner Truett Cathy instituted. “He was visiting the swank Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York City,” Ruth says, “where he observed the hotel staff replying to everyone’s ‘thank you’ with ‘pleasure to serve you.’ He was inspired to adopt the motto and challenge the home office, operators, and staff to do the same.”

From the kitchen to the front counter to company operator, a chicken franchise has brought much pleasure to Ruth Grace’s life. For the past three decades, it has been her pleasure to help others around her thrive. 78