Ruth Merita Evans Fox, 94, of Statesville, N.C., passed away peacefully in her sleep of Congestive Heart Failure on Thursday, June 25, 2020. She was born July 22, 1925, in Iredell County to the late William Alfred and Mamie Safriet Evans.
Mrs. Fox attended Harmony School, leaving in December before graduating in May to marry the love of her life, Glenn P. Fox Jr. in York, S.C., on December 24, 1943. They were married 60 years before his passing on July 20, 2004.
She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Fox Gatton (Steve), and a son, Larry Stephen Fox (Steve) and his wife Deborah of Statesville; grandchildren, Joshua Stephen Fox (Careyann) of Statesville, Abby Fox Malloy (Steve) of Lincolnton, N.C., and Emily Fox Martin (Jamie) of Camden, S.C.; and great-grandchildren, Max and Caden Malloy, Riley Fox, and Myers Martin. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Barbara Evans; special loving nieces and nephews, and special friends, Pat Shepherd and Holly and Millie Fox.
She grew up attending Society Baptist Church and after marriage became a member of Providence United Methodist Church, where she was active until her health declined in January of this year. She dearly loved and was loved by her church family, especially her beloved church “Coffee Club.” She was retired from Beauty Maid Mills after 32 years. After retirement, she worked at Totsville Daycare, where she was given the nickname “RuRu” by one of her favorite “babies,” Georgeanna Keller. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Helen Murdock and Nancy Langdale, and brothers Fred and Herman Evans.
The family expresses special thanks to her wonderful caregivers, Marty Driggers and Teresa Robinson, who fell in love with her, Jewel Layne, the nurses on 2 North at Iredell Memorial Hospital, Drs. James Bradford and Tania Acevado and staff, Iredell Home Health and Hospice of Iredell County.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 28, at 3 p.m. at Providence United Methodist Church. Masks are required. The Reverends David Bradley and Gervase Hitch will officiate. A celebration of life will be held later.
Active pallbearers will be Jeff Murdock, Rickey Reavis, Frankie Sigmon, Jeff Lambert, Johnny Holton, Derrick McCoy, Kent Shaw, Terry Fox, David Waugh, and Charles Anderson. Honorary pallbearers will be Buster Martin, Bill and Brenda Leckie, Donald and Joyce Waugh, Susan and Scott Branch, and PUMC Coffee Club members.
Memorials may be made to Providence United Methodist Church, 1273 Old Mocksville Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be left at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Fox family.