Stella Ruth (Waddell) Horton

Mrs. Stella Ruth Horton, 95 of 224 Toomer Loop Rd.,  Pittsboro, NC passed on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Signature Health of Chapel Hill, NC.

RUTH HORTON, a Chatham County Board of Social Services employee for more than twenty five (25) years, whose passion was IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS, passed away on October 21, 2017 , in Chapel Hill, NC.  She was 95 years old. She shared those 95 yrs. on this earth positively touching the lives of everyone she encountered.  Her love was unconditional, supportive and everlasting. She was an honorable woman with a huge heart; she had a drive and incomparable appeal.  Ruth entered this life on October 11, 1922 as the youngest daughter born to Minnie and Charlie Waddell in Randolph County.  As an infant, she moved with her parents and older sisters to Chatham County.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, the late Charlie Horton, Jr., her daughter, Margie Ellison, her nephew, Franklin Kirby and her sister, Mildred Austin.

Ruth graduated from Horton High School in Pittsboro.  She loved learning and encouraged her daughters and grandsons to always seek higher education and critical thinking, challenging the paths that are frequently followed by so many.

Baptized at an early age at the "Old home Church", Pleasant Hill in Randolph county, Ruth became a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Pittsboro, where she served as the Church Secretary, and frequently worked as the only member of the Alter Guild, ensuring that the brass on the alter was always polished for special occasions.  Her church membership was transferred to St Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Pittsboro, at the dissolution of St. James by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.  In this religious community at St. Bartholomew, she was an articulate Lay Reader, member of the Sunday School and member of the Alter Guild.  Frequently, Ruth would be called upon to recite poems and other readings at community events and church program.

Ruth was the example of a trophy of God's amazing grace: she was gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday and generous with everything that God gave her.  One could often witness or be the recipient of the delicious and delectable food she frequently prepared. With words of encouragement, lessons of life and an unwavering love, she was the glue that held her family together. Ruth will be remembered as a proud woman who lived her life on her own terms, not failing to express her quick wit, her brutal honesty and her tremendous love. Selfless and putting other's needs first and herself last, she was the "ultimate giver" and her generosity knew no bounds.  Throughout all of the trials in her life, she "kept the faith and and fought a good fight" keeping God first.

Among her many accomplishments and honors are included the following: State of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service, Division of Social Services, Service Award for 25 yrs. of service; Employee Appreciation Award from the Chatham County Board of Social Services, ; Valued Employee Award from Chatham County DSS; Resolution from the Chatham County Board of Commissioners in recognition of work done; Chatham County Employee of the Year; A Tape Recorded Narrative on file in the Pittsboro Memorial Library, recorded August 9, 1981, entitled "Growing Up In Chatham County"; Recognition and Thank You Certificate from Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC). 

Ruth was married to the late Charlie Horton, Jr in 1943 and from that union was born two daughters. 

Ruth is survived by one daughter, Dr. Stella J. Horton of Maple Shade, New Jersey; one sister, Mrs. Moletta Waddell of Pittsboro; two grandsons, Khalid Ellison and his wife, Tash,  and their son, Zack, of Durham; Braheim Knight and his wife, Tyeka and their daughter, Queen, of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey; a son-in-law, Joseph Ellison; two nephews, Rudolph Kirby (Luvenia) and Wayne Freeman (niece) and a niece-in-law, Sarah Kirby, and great nieces, great nephews and cousins; and a host of other family and friends. 
 

Arrangements by: Knotts Funeral Home - Pittsboro, NC

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