MANSFIELD: Ruthie Akuchie was a gifted artist who used mixed mediums to communicate the importance of diversity. Diversity is the art of thinking independently together, it’s not about how we differ, it’s about embracing one another’s uniqueness. Ruthie focused her multi-layered art to communicate unity, to celebrate diversity, and to shine light on the stories of heroism and achievement of marginalized peoples.
Ruthie was born on January 14, 1989 in Norwalk to parents Eleazer Alaeze “Rev. El” and Donna Sue (Kinney) Akuchie. She passed into the Lord’s care Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. She was 35 years old.
It was rightly said of Ruthie, “There was nothing creative she couldn’t do”.
She was a wonderful musician. She was a lifelong singer, violist, and pianist. She played with the Mansfield Youth Symphony, served the Mansfield Korean United Methodist Church congregation as pianist, and performed in musicals including, Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz at Mansfield Senior High and Sarah in the Renaissance Theater production of Ragtime. She spent countless hours playing and singing with family and friends and anyone who wanted to make music together.
But Ruthie’s real passion was her art. An awarded artist, her work has won juried state shows and has been displayed at the Mansfield Art Center and other art galleries. Her work also appears often around Mansfield – notably, the murals that greet guests upon entering the Main Mansfield Richland County Public Library and murals in downtown Mansfield. She even worked in collaboration with her mother to write and illustrate a children’s book titled, “An African Day.”
Ruthie graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 2007. She continued her education at North Central State College, and eventually moved to South Korea for a couple of years to study the Korean language and work towards a fine arts degree in Jeonju, South Korea.
Ruthie’s sense of adventure and varied interests took her all over the world, pursuing new cultures and new places. She worked for a time as a flight attendant with JetBlue, taught art at Woodland Elementary, served as a dorm mom to international students (in of all places Bangor Maine), and taught art in Grenada while she was on a one year missionary journey there. She became fluent in Korean and Morse Code, and also spent three months in Nigeria to learn more about her family.
She will be remembered for her child-like and free-spirited personality. She was so outgoing and made friends everywhere, usually by making them feel welcome by her sensitive heart.
Ruthie’s smile was a glimpse into her humor: quick witted, silly and goofy, she always loved a good laugh.
Ruthie leaves the legacy of a vibrant soul, a unique style of dress and presentation that reflected her beautiful art which was shadowed by a heart full of kindness, generosity, and a love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her parents the Rev. El “Eleazer” and Donna (Kinney) Akuchie of Mansfield; sisters Julianna Akuchie of Mansfield, Joy (Lucas) Dorsch of Lakewood, and Naomi (Jimmy) Cantwell of Erlanger, Kentucky; her brother Eleazer “Chuky” (Keylin) Akuchie of Dallas, Texas; a nephew Vaughn Ozioma Dorsch, cousins including Abigail Kinney of Columbus, uncles and aunts Aaron Akuchie, Miriam Anozie, Comfort Ohanyere, Chineye Akuchie, and Ndu Akuchie all in Nigeria, and Larry Kinney in Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Chukwuezi and Juliana Akuchie, maternal grandparents Eugene and Myrtle Kinney; great aunt Onita Beeny, and uncle Moses Akuchie.
The Akuchie Family will receive guests Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Fusion Church, 220 Industrial Drive, Lexington. Visiting continues Monday from Noon to 1 p.m. in the church facility, immediately followed by a worship service, giving glory to God for the life of Ruthie Akuchie. Pastors Terry Garrett and Aaron Rose will preside. Burial will follow at Mansfield Cemetery. The Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to a fund that will be established in Ruthie’s memory for the advancement of minority artists in the Mansfield area. Please make checks payable to Julianna Akuchie. A collection box will be available at the visitation and funeral service.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Akuchie family. Share a message of support – and watch Ruthie’s tribute video – online at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home Marion Avenue Chapel
Website: SnyderFuneralHomes.com