Ruth W. Stone

Ruth began working in a bank when she graduated from high school. Soon after, her sister, Margie, contracted tuberculosis and was sent to Huntersville Sanatorium to recover. While visiting her sister there, Ruth met her future husband, Ronald Stone, who was also a tuberculosis patient there. On June 17, 1955 they began their life together as husband and wife.

Ruth was proud to support Ronnie in his career at the Charlotte Police Department, and enjoyed being a part of the many community events he attended. She worked for a brief time as a preschool teacher at Commonwealth Methodist Church, and was the organist there for a number of years. But her primary focus and love was making a home for her husband and four children, Randy, Rita, Robyn and Rachel. She cooked delicious meals every night, made clothes for her daughters, as well as tiny Barbie clothes, allowed many pets in the house, and spent countless hours chauffeuring her children to piano lessons, church and school activities, and anywhere else they needed to go.

Ruth was a long-time member of Blair Road United Methodist Church in Mint Hill. She was a part of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class, the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Choir. She treasured her many friendships she made there, and continued to participate in online worship when she was unable to attend in person.

A true Southern belle, Ruth never left the house unless her makeup was perfect, her outfit was well-matched and her beautiful red hair was impeccably styled! It made her mad that people didn’t believe she never dyed her hair, and it stayed its signature color until the day she died. If there was a clothing bargain to be found, Ruth found it! She loved going to the mall, playing the slots at Cherokee, scratching off lottery tickets and going out to eat. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and really hated they didn’t all live right in Mint Hill. She lived life to the fullest for her entire 86 years.

The family would like to thank all of Ruth’s good friends and neighbors for all of the support they showed their mom during her battle with cancer. She appreciated every card, every errand done, and every prayer uttered. We are grateful for the love that Richard Taylor shared with her over the past few years. We would also like to thank Charlotte Region Hospice and Palliative Care, especially her nurse Clare, who gave her excellent care and enabled us to keep Mom at home as she wished.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Ronnie Stone; her grandson, Jeremy Stone; and her sisters, Virginia Roberts and Margie Williams.

She is survived by her children, Randy Stone, Rita Mabes (Tim), Robyn Rogers (Charlie), and Rachel Burke (Joe); her grandchildren, Timothy Mabes, Christine Mabes (Adam Bush), Alex Mabes, Joshua Wilson, Abygail Wilson, Olivia Rogers, Lucien Burke, and Daria Burke; her special friend, Richard Taylor; and many other loving extended family members.

A Celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Blair Road United Methodist Church, 9135 Blair Road, Mint Hill, NC. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm. We encourage you to wear animal print to the service, as this was her favorite “color.”

Please consider a donation to Charlotte Region Hospice & Palliative Care (VIA Health Partners), 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226 or Blair Road United Methodist Church, 9135 Blair Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227.