Iris Wood Rumley

On April 11, 2025, Iris Rumley entered Heaven. She was 100 years old and born in Lee County NC to the late Isaac Wood and Ora Carter Wood. She was saved and joined Woodland Baptist Church in 1942, and her testimony was “I’m saved, and I know that I’m saved”. At the time of her death, she had been a member of the church 82 years the Faithful Followers Sunday School Class. She made sure her children never missed a church service even on vacation. She came to Winston-Salem in 1942 and worked for 40 years at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. She played ball as a pitcher during World War II. She was married to Paul Rumley for 37 years. She lived her life facing any challenge with the unique ability to get through it with an encouraging smile. If you asked, you never doubted what her opinion was, she gave it as a matter of fact. She gathered family and friends to her home with her life stories and food. Strangers immediately became lifelong beloved friends. She loved music of every genre, and dancing from country line to ballroom. Her wardrobe sparkled, her nails were done and her hair fixed and her lipstick was on. She was a fan of Duke and Wake Forrest basketball and the world series. She coached the teams from her living room chair. She will be remembered as one of a kind. She was a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend. Mrs. Rumley was preceded in death by her husband Paul Rumley, son-in-law Johnny D. King and sisters Betty Ann Barbee, Flo Marion and Geraldine Conner. She is survived by her children, Karen King (Ron Sharp) of Sevierville Tennessee, Dennis Rumley (Ann) of Rural Hall, N.C. and Cindy Myers (Danny) of Pinnacle, N.C. Grandchildren; Angie Hutton (Patrick), John-David King (Pepper), Thomas-Paul King (Danielle), Amanda Davis (Jody), Brandon Myers (Shea) and Brent Myers (Kelly) and twelve great grandchildren. Her exceptional loving caregivers Lisa Pyrtle, Katie Katz and Gina Leonard, who enabled her wishes to stay in her home until life’s end. 

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday April 15, 2025, at Woodland Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Gammons officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at Woodland Cemetery in Winston-Salem. Memorials may be made to Woodland Baptist New Church Building Fund, 1175 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.