Agnes Estelle "Ruth" McElveen

Mrs. McElveen was born August 29, 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland the daughter of the late John Jenkins Simms and Lady Missouri Archer Simms. She moved to Oak Island in 1983 and became known as the "Avon Lady" and became active in the community. Ruth loved being in North Carolina and made many friends here. She was active in the choir at First Baptist Church of Oak Island and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Survivors include her six daughters, Eleanor R. Fink of Newark, DE, Janet Heifner of Ellicott City, MD, Bonnie L. Rife of Buckeye, AZ, Donna S. Jackson of Baltimore, MD, Patricia G. Jackson of Charlotte, NC, and Lois A. Sheely of Little River, MD; ten grandchildren, Carolyn, Mary, Natalie, Rachel, Joshua, Rachel, Will, April, Kyle, and Sara; ten great-grandchildren; a step-daughter Barbara Parker and her son Reggie;

and numerous loving friends.

Mrs. McElveen was preceded in death by her husband Wilton McElveen who passed away in 1998; two brothers; and a sister.

The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 am to 11:00 am prior to the service. There will be a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. McElveen's name may be made to Hope Harbor, PO Box 230, Supply, NC 28462.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service in Southport is serving the McElveen family.