Ruby Hathcock Weathersbee

Ruby Glen Hathcock Weathersbee was born August 7, 1940 in the small North Carolina crossroad town of Norwood to Sadie Elizabeth Preslar Hathcock and Garfield "Runt" Hathcock. She was the third of four children, the second daughter. Both her parents were textile mill workers, and her family was of average means. Ruby was a preschooler when her father was drafted to fight in WWII, leaving her mother with four young children. Garfield was wounded in action and had lifelong disabilities from his meritorious service in the Army. Sadie began as a line worker in a textile factory and worked her way up to become the first female manager at Gilead Manufacturing. She was also an avid seamstress, which would also play a large role in Ruby's life.

Ruby was studious and well liked, excelling in cheerleading, debate, and writing, she won numerous awards in her hometown, including the "I Speak for Democracy" writing contest, North Carolina Poultry Princess, Head Cheerleader Norwood High School, Junior Marshall Annual Staff Editor and Newspaper Staff. Her family was very active in the First Baptist Church of Norwood. The school and church were focal points of community activities for Ruby and her family.

When a senior in high school, she became engaged to Charles Philip Weathersbee, who was in the Navy. She attended Charlotte Cosmetology School and they married in March 1959. Ruby and Phil settled in Albemarle, North Carolina, and had two daughters; Elizabeth and Zan. They moved to the mountains of North Carolina in 1966. There Ruby worked various jobs and took full time employment in the typing pool at Old Fort Finishing Plant. Over the years she worked her way up to Human Resource Assistant, breaking many barrier for females in the work place. Ruby and her young family were also very active in the First Baptist Church, Marion North Carolina in choir, Sunday School teaching and various other leadership roles. While living in Marion she also established the first library "Story Time" for children and was active in local school leadership.

As a dedicated lifelong learner, Ruby not only taught in various settings, she also took classes through Mars Hill College. In 1986 Ruby and Phil decided to move to Greensboro to live closer to their first grandchild, Alexa. This was a huge change for Ruby, since she had always been a "small town girl". She adapted quickly to "city" life and excelled in her career as a Human Resource Manager for L&E Packaging. Her career in HR spanned nearly 30 years. During that time she rose to an executive level role and then retired to start her own HR Consulting business. Following the example set by her mother, she worked hard and broke many barriers, leading the way for other women in business.

Some of her many professional achievements include serving as a visiting executive at the UNCG Bryan School of Business, member of Graphic Arts Safety and Health Executive, various roles including Director and various awards in Society for Human Resource Management, leadership roles in the Printing Industry of the Carolinas, PAI Human Resource Excellence Award, and leadership roles in the Human Resource Management Association of Greensboro.

Her civic and religious life were equally prolific. She was active at Parkway Baptist Church as a teacher and leader. Later in life she felt called to become Episcopalian and entered membership at St Francis Episcopal Church, Greensboro. She was very active as a member of St Clair's, served as a Stephen's Minister and also supported the various activities within the church. In the community she was a board member for Youth Focus, Professional Rehabilitation Consultants, and Big Brothers and Sisters of Greensboro. She was active as a consultant to the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship. She traveled much with her professional duties and also loved to travel for enjoyment, having become a bit of a world globe trotter in her later years.

Undoubtedly her most beloved role was that of grandmother and great-grandmother. She was very active and involved with her grandchildren and could be seen at plays, swimming, volunteering at school, sailing, vacationing and many other activities with her four grandchildren: Alexa Lea Briggs, Adam Livingston Little, Adrianna Ursulina Liccione and Dante Antonino Liccione. In the last decade of her life she doted on her great grandchildren Riley Hudson Briggs, Avelyn Leann Little, and Charles Montgomery Little.

As her health declined she lived with her daughter, Zan Lea Liccione and attended the Wellsprings Solution Memory Care Adult Day Program. She was loved by all and enjoyed time with her friends there. She especially loved XBox bowling, painting and spending time in the garden there. Ruby was also active in the local Senior Center, enjoying Chair Yoga and working out in the fitness center. Ruby's decline from Alzheimer's was rapid and she was thankful her beloved grandchildren and daughters were able to be with her near the end. She joined her ancestors in eternity from the arms of her daughter Zan at 9:30pm on Monday, January 17, 2022.

She requested that any memorials be given to the Wellsprings Solutions Memory Care Center, Adult Day Program, 2701 Henry Street, Greensboro, NC 27405 in lieu of flowers.