Winnie Ruth Watson

Mrs. Winnie Ruth Watson, age 92, of Castle Hayne, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 23, 2022. Ruth was affectionately known by friends and family as Grandma Watson or Mema. She was a godly woman of faith who loved greatly and never missed the opportunity to show her love through her hugs, kisses, sewing skills, and delicious country cooking. She will be missed by all of those who knew and loved her, especially her family.

Ruth was born in Columbus County, NC, on September 11,1929, daughter of the late Rosier Lee Faulk and Mamie Frances Smith Faulk. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Kathleen Bell, Helen Lewis, Mineola Simmons, and brothers, Tony and Lonnie Faulk. Ruth’s loving husband of 74 years, James (Bob) Watson also preceded her in death in September of 2020. The family finds comfort in knowing that Ruth and Bob are once again together, celebrating in Heaven with their Lord and Savior, and for that, they are grateful.

Ruth spent her life as a hardworking, loving wife and mother. In her early life, she worked at many places in the Wilmington area including Big Star Supermarket, The Camera Shop, and France Neckwear. She also worked at New Hanover Memorial Hospital and Elderhaus as a Nursing Assistant. In her retirement, she babysat great grandchildren and spent her days rocking them and teaching them nursery rhymes and Bible stories. Ruth never let her hands be idle and was even working on a sewing project the day before her death.

Anyone who knew Ruth was considered family. She was everyone’s grandma and all of the children who grew up in Spring View Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years, called her Grandma Watson. Ruth was famous for her talent for sewing as well as her home cooking, especially her fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. Until the last couple of years when health challenges made it difficult, Ruth cooked every Sunday for her children and grandchildren who gathered at her home to spend time around the kitchen table sharing stories and just enjoying their time together as a family. Those priceless memories will be cherished forever.

Ruth is survived by her son, James (Jimmy) Watson Jr. and wife Kathy; daughter, Peggy Barfield and husband Kenny; four granddaughters, Kimberly Baltezegar (Keith), Pamela Firetti (Joe), Holly Barfield, and April Barfield; five great grandchildren, Alexandra Schaivone (Nicholas), Savannah Baltezegar, Reid Heath, Aaron Eggert, and Noah Eggert; great great grandson, Franklin Schaivone; one sister, Betty Ammons and a special niece, Frances Brown (Russ). She also leaves behind many other nieces, nephews, family members, and friends who will miss her greatly.

Although their hearts are heavy, the family is grateful to have had so many years with Ruth before the Lord decided to call her home. They rejoice that she has received her home in Heaven, her eternal reward for a life well lived as a faithful servant of God.

A funeral service will be held at Coble Funeral and Cremation Services, 1155 Shipyard Blvd., Wilmington, NC, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 12:00 pm with Pastors Rodney Knowles and Carey Horrell, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will take place an hour before the service. The family requests that everyone please wear a mask throughout the visitation and service to protect those they love.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Watson family.