February 9, 1928 – April 3, 2026
Ruth Pauline (Allen) Tuttle passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, at her home in Shoals, Indiana, surrounded by her family.
Pauline was born on February 9, 1928, in Shoals to Everett and Jessie (McKibben) Allen. Pauline grew up in the Weisbach community in Shoals and was a member of the Shoals High School Class of 1946. She remained connected to her classmates throughout her life, enjoying reunions and creating commemorative booklets for their 50th anniversary.
Pauline lived a full and meaningful life devoted to her faith, her family, and serving others. She retired from the French Lick Springs Hotel after 12 years and also worked at Essex in Orleans and Textile in Loogootee. She later served as a compassionate caregiver in nursing facilities and private homes, reflecting her generous heart and quiet kindness.
Pauline was a longtime member of the West Shoals Church of Christ. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she cherished time with family—singing hymns, sharing laughter, and telling the very best stories. She enjoyed surrounding herself with family photos and meaningful moments. She was the heart of her family—the one who kept everyone connected.
Pauline was also a member of the Hindostan Homemakers Club. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—gardening and canning, sewing and embroidering—and held a deep appreciation for nature. She especially loved birds, butterflies, turtles, as well as peonies, irises, and African violets. An accomplished quilter, she created many beautiful, award-winning quilts by hand, often gifting her works of art to her family as lasting expressions of her care. She treasured her collections of dolls, chickens, and pixies.
Pauline is survived by her three daughters, Shirley D. (Larry) Stroud of Shoals, twins Jean A. Melvin and Joan B. (Lanny) Banks of Bedford; two sons, Allen C. Tuttle of Shoals and David B. (Julie) Tuttle of Mitchell; and one sister, Martha Kidwell of Odon. She is also remembered by many nieces and nephews.
Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren—Jason, Ronetta, Tashina, Ashley, Tara, Brittney, Craig, Tyler, Aubrey, Makiah, Heather, Thomas, Cary Lee, Lexi, Brandy, and Liam—and her great-grandchildren. She is also remembered by her step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, as well as her great-great-granddaughter, Amara, carrying forward her faith, values, and traditions across five generations.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Dwight Tuttle and Cary Tuttle; brothers, Calvin Allen and William Lee Allen; half-sisters, Ethel Tow, Patty Catt, and Phyllis Kidwell; half-brother, Ernest Allen; step-sisters, Wilma Reinhart, Virginia Lyster, and Mildred Lovell; step-brother, Lyle Wininger; one grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Wednesday, April 8, from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service at the Queen-Lee Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Queen-Lee Chapel of George Funeral Care, 431 High Street in Shoals, with Stan Day officiating. Burial will follow at Hindostan Church Cemetery.
She has now heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and has gone to a place where she will never grow old—reunited with loved ones and singing once more in her heavenly home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.queenlee.com .
Arrangements are in the care of the Queen-Lee Chapel of George Funeral Care in Shoals.
