She was born November 21, 1928, the only child of Pauline and William Harrill of Rutherfordton, NC. Ruth earned a B.A. in Christian Education from Greensboro College in 1949, and a teaching certificate from Appalachian State University in 1951.
Ruth lived in Cheraw, SC from 1958 until 2018, when she moved to Charlotte to be closer to her family. She is survived by her sons, Bill Middleton of Philadelphia, PA, and Joe (Lee Ann) Middleton and Jon Middleton, both of Charlotte. She is also survived by her grandson, Jordan Middleton; her nieces, Rosalyn Kerins and Babs Odom; nephew, Mike Barlowe; and cousins, Laura and Bob Gobble. Ruth was predeceased by her former husband, William H. Middleton, Jr. in 2000.
Ruth was a natural educator. She started her teaching career in Caldwell County in 1952, and six years later, began teaching English at Wallace (SC) High School. In 1970, she moved to Cheraw High School where she taught British Literature, creative writing, and semantics until her retirement in 1990. She loved teaching and was dearly loved by her students.
Ruth was an accomplished musician, a voracious reader, and a devoted animal lover. She passed on her love of music, books and animals, as well as her sometimes stubborn demeanor, to her sons. She was fiercely independent and lived life on her own terms. Her joy was to do whatever she could to create stability in the lives of her children. She sang her life’s song lovingly, thoughtfully, fearlessly, and always with perfect pitch. Many years ago, she worked the sentiment “Without music, life would be a mistake” into a cross-stitch. Her sons are immensely grateful she shared her music with them.
A celebration of her life will take place Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, Cheraw, SC. Lunch in the church fellowship hall will follow the service.
If you would like to honor Ruth, please consider a contribution to Chesterfield (SC) County Animal Services or to First United Methodist Church, Cheraw.
