Individual Details

Death

Ruth Smith Furr (February 18, 1923 - February 12, 2014) Mrs. Furr, 90, passed away on Wednesday night, February 12, 2014, at home in Locust. Visitation will be held on Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland. Funeral services will be on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Locust, followed by burial in the church cemetery. Chaplain Misty McAden will officiate. Mrs. Furr was born on February 18, 1923, in Cleveland County, NC to the late Jessie P. Smith and Lula Belle Patterson Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, William Robert "Rob" Furr, a sister, two brothers, and one grandchild. As a young adult, she worked at the Friendly Grill in Oakboro, and later worked in the textile industry. A long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church, she enjoyed participating in its activities, especially her Sunday school class, senior outings, and helping serve refreshments in Bethel’s fellowship hall after funeral services. She was also a member of Midland Chapter #260 Order of the Eastern Star, and for many years held annual clothes drives for the Oxford Orphanage. She is survived by two sons, Bob Furr and wife, Margaret, and Rodney Furr and wife, Diane, both of Locust; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Ruth truly loved her family; her middle-aged grandchildren still talk of her frequent picnics and other planned outings. On August 18, 2010, The Weekly Post featured a short article about an Oakboro Museum exhibit including “The girl on the moon.” Part of the exhibit was a photo of Ruth holding her infant son, Bob, sitting on a crescent moon with a stellar backdrop; a poplar thing to do in the 1940's. Still fun loving at age 83, she entered an AAU sanctioned weight lifting competition - and came away with first place in the bench-press event. The family is grateful to Rachel Harwood, who has been involved throughout Mrs. Furr’s illness, Pam Burris, Betty Bracey, and Betty Vasu for their wonderful care and friendship. In her final months Community Home Care and Hospice of Troy also provided compassionate care and support, especially Beth, Chelsie, Misty, and Shannon. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Furr family.