Ruth Best Gatling
August 21, 1927 ~ September 3, 2016
ROCKY MOUNT - Ruth Best Gatling passed away peacefully on September 3, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount on Thursday at 11 a.m. Burial will take place prior to the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Cemetery at 10 a.m.
Ruth was born, raised and lived a charmed life in Warsaw, NC. She went off to East Carolina Teachers College and, while living in Cotton Hall, met the love of her life, Julian Irving Gatling, Jr. They married, raised two daughters and enjoyed more than fifty years together in Rocky Mount.
Ruth was a lifelong homemaker, cook, wife, mother, grandmother and, more recently, great grandmother. One could never enter her home and leave hungry. There was no limit to her generosity and love for others. Through her strong faith she taught us how to live, but more importantly she taught us how to give. She loved to read and continued to stay current on world affairs. Our family was blessed to celebrate her 89th birthday with her just a couple weeks ago.
She is preceded in death by her husband and her parents, Annie Carroll Best and Claude Burbank Best; two brothers, Claude Burbank Best, Jr. and Robert Carroll Best; and her oldest great-granddaughter, Georgia Grace Godwin.
Ruth leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Betsy Anne Gatling Godwin and husband Charles Preston Godwin, Jr. and Judy Carroll Gatling Morgan and husband Robert Edward (Bob) Morgan all of Greenville. She is also survived by her grandchildren Charles Preston Godwin III, wife Amber and daughter Sailor Anne of Greenville; Julian Marion Morgan, wife Jessica and daughter Julia Lee of Greenville; Ryce Godwin Danford, husband Matt and son John Matthew of Raleigh; Robert Edward (Rem) Morgan II, wife Jaclyn and son Gatling Creek of Greenville; Hadley Godwin Howard and husband Whit of Raleigh; and Jon Durham Morgan and wife Kelly of Raleigh.
Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ruths dear friends, wonderful caregivers at The Fountains at the Albemarle, and especially to the doctors and staff at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital - a truly special place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 S. Church St., Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or to Team Georgia, Inc. in support of childhood cancer research at 601 Queen Annes Rd, Greenville, NC 27858.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount)
200 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Thursday 9/8, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Service
First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount)
200 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Thursday 9/8, 11:00 am
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Thursday 9/8, 10:00 am
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Thursday 9/8
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Girls, your Mom was a good friend of mine for years. Then, I went to the Albemerle for several years and we became better friends. Bob kept me posted as to how she was over the months that I have been at Spring Arbor. All of you have been in my prayers. I surely have missed you this past year. Peggy Pullen Porter
Betsy Ann, Judy, we are sorry for your loss. You and your families will be in our prayers and thoughts. I have been setting here remembering our visits to Tarboro and Rocky Mt. all of us going out to eat Brunswick Stew, the sleep overs, granddads scary stories and gadgets! Think of you guys often… With love, Lorayne and Billy
Judy & Betsy, We are so sorry about your sweet mother’s passing. Please know that you both and your families are in our hearts and our prayers Jim and Dotsy Royal
Aunt Ruth was a true Southern lady with a great sense of humor but when Betsy and Judy and Aunt Ruth and Uncle Julian came to visit our home in Warsaw and eat Sunday lunch. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Julian still expected Betsy and Judy to use their best manners even though their 7 Best family cousins had their forks sticking in their chosen piece of fried chicken right before grace was said. Following their cousins example they forked them a piece, too, afraid if they didn’t there wouldn’t be much left if try didn’t. Needless to say Aunt Ruth and Uncle Julian were not happy with their girls and we all got a scolding! Our Aunt Agnes and Uncle Bill and AuntvAgnes were also eating and sweet and understanding Uncle Bill took up for us. He told Our parents that, even though he didn’t fork him a piece of chicken, he understood why the kids did it. He was afraid he wouldn’t get any either with the big crowd around the table! That is just one of the many great memories I will always cherish in my heart.Aunt Ruth was an excellent cook and I know she is cooking up something Heavenly right now for her loved ones she had missed so that so joyfully welcomed her Home on September 3rd. We will dearly miss our sweet Aunt Ruth but have so many precious memories of her that I will cherish forever. Until we see you again you will always have a special place in my heart.prayanchorheartkissing_heart
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Betsy Ann and Judy, I will cherish the good memories at The Gatling house and your Mother and Father’s friendship with our family. The years have gone by and each has gone their way, but she will always stay in my heart. I hope she and Julian are united in heaven and can have many long visits with Mom and Dad. My love to you and your families. Margaret Griffin Harrelson
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