Ruth Howard Mundy

Ruth Howard Mundy, born December 17, 1920 in Catawba County to Dick Stowe Howard and Chattie Lippard Howard, passed away peacefully at her Winston-Salem home on Monday, May 5, 2014. Ruth Mundy was a woman of deep faith and strong conviction. She found joy and happiness in most things, and she loved people which resulted in a multitude of friends scattered both at home and around the world. Her children often marveled at how quickly and easily she connected and made friends. She often would strike up a conversation with an unknown person sitting nearby, and before the conversation ended, she would receive an invitation to visit in their home...which, in many cases, she accepted. This friendly personality made her a great ""Welcome Wagon Hostess,"" a position she held for many years in Lumberton, NC. She loved flowers, music, books, travel, people...and anything connected to her faith; she also loved the beach, the mountains, and aviation. Her husband Jerry was a WWII flight instructor during the early years of their marriage and they had a plane but no car when they first got married. She never missed a local air show. From a very young age, she was an avid church-goer and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. At last count, she was an affiliate member of churches in Surfside Beach and Lumberton in addition to the two churches she regularly attended, Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church in Sherrill's Ford, her ""home church"" and Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem where she resided at the time of her death.Her sphere of influence reached far and wide. She was actively and enthusiastically involved with The United Christian Ashram founded by Dr. E. Stanley Jones. She attended conferences all over the world adding friends along the way. She was an avid supporter of the Methodist Church's conference center at Lake Junaluska in Western NC. Her first delegate appointment was at age 15 which was the beginning of a lifelong passion. Lake Junaluska became one of her favorite places, and she visited there many times for various conferences, programs, concerts, or simply to enjoy its special beauty. It was not unusual for her to drive to Lake Junaluska to attend the Western NC Annual Conference and, instead of returning promptly home, she would drive to the beach or somewhere else to visit other friends. She sometimes found herself in a bit of hot water with her family for conveniently forgetting to let them know of her change of plans when she finally returned home several days later. She was voted May Queen at Brevard College at age 16 and was thrilled 50 years later when she was invited back to help crown that year's homecoming queen. She had a heart of gold and found something good in everyone. She was known for her joyful spirit and ability to love everyone. She participated in mission trips to Haiti and other impoverished areas, and she lead projects to help the less fortunate and needy. Organizations that were especially important to her that she actively supported over the years included Robeson County Church & Community Center, Meals On Wheels, and Hospice. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and she was truly adored and will be greatly missed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Jeremiah ""Jerry"" Mundy, two brothers, Richard Howard and Emmitt Howard. She is survived by a son, Jerry H Mundy and wife Donna of Denver, NC, and two daughters in Winston-Salem, Anne Priester and husband Ken, and Frances Mundy and Ron Jones; five grandchildren - LeOrr Mundy, Kristy Mundy Buff, Frank Parrish(Christine), Brad Parrish, and Beth Williams (Allen), and 10 wonderful great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her sister Janice Lutz, sister-in-law Ruth Cochrane (Ben), her best friend of many years Sue Christenbury, and many neices and nephews. A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 4:00pm at Centenary united Methodist Church (Memorial Auditorium off 4 1/2 Street) with Dr. W. Mark Ralls and Tamara Clark officiating. A graveside service will be held the preceding day, Saturday, May 10 at 2:00pm with the Rev. Craig Ford and Rev. Grady Barringer officiating. Visitation will follow each service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Centenary UMC, PO Box 658, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, Mt Pleasant UMC, 4136 Mt. Pleasant Church Road, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 or Kate B Reynolds Hospice House,101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family would like to thank Nancy Thornburg (faithful friend & caregiver) Dr. Tom Cannon (doctor/friend), the wonderful staff at Hospice, and Paula from Home Instead for all their help and compassion. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. (Silas Creek Chapel).

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