It was philanthropic work that  brought Ruth back to her hometown. On September 10, 1978, Ruth was presented with the First Annual Award honoring support of the Midland Empire Arthritis Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. The actress and activist traveled back to St. Joseph, Missouri, in the 1990s for Arthritis Awareness Day.

​

Ruth received numerous awards for her philanthropic work. The National Children’s Leukemia Foundation presented Ruth with the Michael Landon Award on March 15, 1993. On April 25, 1995, Jobs for Youth, Inc., recognized Ruth’s service to young children. Ruth received the 1992 Leadership Award for her support of women’s mental wellness. She was appointed to the U.N. World Women’s Committee on Mental Health.

​

In her later life Ruth became very interested in spiritualism. Ruth was a member and licensed teacher of the Unity Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Other members and affiliates of Unity Church include Maya Angelou, Betty White, Barbara Billingsley, Erykah Badu, and many others. She was certified to teach metaphysics through the Unity School of Practical Christianity in Lee's Summit, Missouri in 1991. Ruth wrote and recorded many lectures on the subject.