Ruth Carpenter Turner

WADESBORO - Mrs. Ruth Carpenter Turner, 86, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024, at Autumn Care of Marshville.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Leavitt Funeral Home with Mr. Ken Caulder officiating, followed by interment at Anson Memorial Park. The family will greet guests prior to the service, beginning at 2:00 PM.

Ruth was born on February 4, 1938, in Anson County, the eldest child of the late Albert and Betty Lee Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Wallace Turner, and her sisters, Helen Streater and Gay Harney.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Burns, son-in-law Todd Burns, and grandson Nicholas Burns, all of Monroe, NC. Ruth is also survived by her siblings: Ralph Carpenter (wife Sherolyn), Robert Carpenter, Peggy Martin, and Jean Thompson, all of Wadesboro, NC; her sister-in-law Brenda Carpenter of Wadesboro, NC; her brother-in-law Jasper Turner (wife Vivian) of Locust, NC; and her sister-in-law Lillie Keeter of Matthews, NC.

As the eldest of seven children, Ruth cherished family above all else, counting her brothers and sisters among her closest friends. She extended that love to her many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, taking much joy in their lives and accomplishments.

A gifted student, Ruth skipped the eighth grade and graduated from Morven High School in 1956, where her classmates affectionately called her “Peanut” and voted her “Most Mischievous” her senior year. She dedicated her entire career to Pee Dee Electric Membership Cooperative, holding multiple, progressive roles and retiring as its Director of Human Resources. It was also there that she met the love of her life, Wallace. 

Ruth was known for her warmth and generosity, often expressed through her exceptional Southern cooking, a gift she honed by learning to make homemade biscuits at just six years old. Of all her roles in life, Ruth’s favorite was being “Mema” to her grandson, Nick, whom she loved beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for post-Helene disaster relief (cfwnc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1332) or South Charlotte Dog Rescue (www.southcharlottedogrescue.com/scdr/). 

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com