Ruth Maultsby Best

Ruth Maultsby Coleman Best was born on August of the 18th, 1930 to Dorothy Eleanor (Nell) Mayo Maultsby and Garland Eugene (Jimmie) Maultsby in Charlotte, NC. She was the 3rd of 5 siblings.  Arriving before her to their heavenly home, were her parents, her husband of 40 years, Harry McDonald Coleman, her daughter, Ruth Allison Coleman Nardi, and her 3 brothers, Gene, Kenneth, and Jim Maultsby.  She is survived by her daughter, Amy Lynelle Coleman, her sister, Ellen (Chickie) Maultsby Williams and her husband John, 2 sisters-in law, Peggy and Laurel Maultsby, her four grandchildren and their spouses, Joshua and Jiyhe Nardi, Jacob and Maggie Nardi, James and Emilie Nardi, Rebekkah Ruth and Kevan Stoeckler, and 6 great grandchildren: James Nicholas Nardi II, Arthur Kim Nardi, Leo Kim Nardi, Ezme Luna Nardi, Roberta Ruth Nardi, and Jacob Coleman Nardi II.  She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, especially Elizabeth Moore and Ellen Moore Royer, whom she helped raise. 

For many years Ruth has been the matriarch of the family she loved so dearly.  She prayed for and modeled her faith for them every single day of her life.  She has been a faithful member of the Topsail Presbyterian Church for many years where she served as an elder, a Sunday School teacher, and as the president and circle chairman of the Women of the Church.  She was a valued member of the Bible Study Fellowship for many years.

Ruth taught with both the New Hanover and Pender County Schools.   She will be remembered by the many students she not only taught but loved and inspired.  Many knew her as a most accomplished Master Gardener.   Her yard and garden were a joy where she spent every possible moment, considering time spent there as a labor of love.   It was there she followed a family tradition of meditation, praise and intercessory prayer.  This was always her happy place.

Ruth never knew a stranger, finding instant camaraderie with everyone.  Traditionally, she was late and proud of it.  She never made excuses for herself because she always did what she felt was the right thing to do, even if it meant swimming upstream.  She “laughed to keep from crying”, especially when life was difficult and taught others to do the same.  She eagerly anticipated the next chapter in her life, being reunited with her loved ones, family, friends and pets.  She will be well received and rewarded for a life well lived.  Her parting words, which will live on in our hearts and minds were to "love and trust Jesus In all things" and  "if you get the chance to misbehave, do it!" She will be remembered for her infectious laughter and a smile that would light up a room. Oh, how we loved her and how she loved us, with all her heart and soul. Words cannot express how much she will be missed but we rejoice in her heavenly reunions.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday, April 20, at Topsail Presbyterian Church.