Ruth Dudley Turner Camp

Born on February 14, 1962, to James “Jim” Baxter Turner, Jr. and Ann Dudley Brower Turner, Ruthie was the youngest of four siblings. She spent her childhood in Raleigh, attending Saint Mary’s School. For her final year of high school, Ruthie was admitted into the prestigious college-preparatory school Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where she was a member of the first co-ed class. She remained lifelong friends with her classmates in Amen Hall, traveling with 15 “Amenites” across the United States and abroad over a period of more than 40 years.

Following in a proud family tradition, Ruthie graduated from Wake Forest University, earning a B.A. degree in English in 1984. There, she found sisterhood as a member of the Fideles Society, a women’s social and philanthropic organization. In her junior year, Ruthie participated in a study abroad program in Venice, Italy, an experience that sparked an enduring love for Italian art, culture, and language.

After graduating from Wake Forest, Ruthie returned home to Raleigh, where she taught high school English at Ravenscroft School. She subsequently launched a more than 30-year career in business development and community relations, a field well suited to her natural charisma. Ruthie held roles across North Carolina in government and nonprofit organizations, including 13 years as the President of the World Trade Center North Carolina and more than 20 years as the President of Turner Camp International.

While working in Raleigh, Ruthie met Robert Stephen “Steve” Camp, who became the love of her life and her “rock” in difficult times. The two were married on February 16, 1991, and had two beloved children together, William Robert Randolph Camp and Stephen Brower Turner Camp.

Ruthie brought a dynamic and indomitable spirit to her work in the community, where she served on multiple charitable Boards, including at the North Carolina Museum of History, the American Red Cross, and the Dix Park Conservancy. Additionally, she served as a Trustee of the Josephine S. Leiser Foundation, distributing more than $500,000 annually to community organizations in North Carolina and Florida. Ruthie was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Raleigh Fine Arts Society, the Junior League of Raleigh, and the Carolina Country Club, where staff at The Grille knew to always bring extra lemons with her sweet tea.

A woman of strong faith, Ruthie was born into the congregation of Hayes Barton Baptist Church, where her paternal grandfather, Dr. James Baxter Turner Sr., was the founding pastor. Ruthie chaired the congregation’s Preschool Board of Directors and was a devoted member of the Cashwell Sunday School class.

Ruthie will be remembered for her characteristic and contagious zest for life and the abundant joy she brought to each day. She exemplified the Wake Forest University motto, Pro Humanitate: For Humanity.

In addition to her parents Jim and Ann Turner, Ruthie was predeceased by her cousin, Frank “Tripp” Willard Brower III; and grandson, Daniel W. Marks.

She is survived by her husband, Steve; children, William and wife Noelle, and Stephen; stepchildren, Lisa Camp Cox, Greg Camp and wife Sofie, Kristin Camp, Mary Elizabeth Camp and husband Alex, Sarah Camp Worrell and husband Jason. Additionally, she is survived by her siblings, James “Jim” Baxter Turner III and wife Susan, Ann “Dida” Merrick Turner Parrott, and Frank Judson Turner and wife Raquel; aunt, Joan Turner, and cousins Darby Brower, Hamilton Brower, and Christopher Brower, Debby Turner Little, Thomas “Tee” Turner, Jane Turner, David Turner, Ann Turner Williams, and Eugene “Tee” Harrold Turner Jr. Ruthie is further survived by 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, along with two nieces and two nephews.

Friends visited with the family on Thursday, February 20th from 5-7 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh.

A funeral service was held at 11 AM on Friday, February 21st at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. Burial followed at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dix Park Conservancy, the Hayes Barton Baptist Church, and the Raleigh Fine Arts Society Contribution Fund.