According to Matthews Funeral Home, the actress died Thursday of natural causes.
WASHINGTON — Virginia Patton Moss, best known as Ruth Deacon Bailey in the 1946 holiday film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ died Thursday of natural causes. She was 97 years old.
Caroline Grimes, a child actor of the film, has confirmed the death of the starlet. Facebook post on Sunday. Peyton was the last surviving adult member of the cast.
“We have another angel! Virginia Peyton Moss. She was 97. She played Harry Bailey’s wife in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life! She is now with her beloved Cruise,” Grimes said. wrote “She’ll be missed!”
Matthews Funeral Home in Albany, Georgia. announced on Thursday That the 1940s star died of natural causes.
Patton was born on June 25, 1925, in Ohio and began his acting career as a teenager, signing with Warner Bros., Universal Studios and more. During her career she also had her own popular line of women’s and children’s clothing known as the “Virginia Patton of Hollywood”.
Peyton played Harry Bailey’s wife in Frank Capra’s Christmas fantasy drama It’s a Wonderful Life, considered one of America’s greatest films. Ranking No. 11 behind “Songs in the Rain.”
However, the starlet’s Hollywood career was short-lived as she retired at the age of 24 after only seven years in the film business. They Married Cruz Moss, who supported him in his old age until his death in 2018.
Patton and Mass. Ann Arbor, Mich. moved, where he was involved in the arts community. Patton has served on the boards of the American Institute of Archaeology, the Washtenaw County Mental Health Services Agency and the Board of Trustees of Cleary College.
Patton is survived by her two children, Carol Moss-Loup and Michael Cruz Moss.