Ruth Edmiston Hunter

January 8, 2020

CHARLOTTE - Ruth Edmiston Hunter died January 8, 2020 at Sharon Towers in Charlotte. She was born February 14,1921 in Rowan County, NC to the late Perl Gray Edmiston and Sara Brown Edmiston.

Upon graduation from Boyden High School, Salisbury, NC she enrolled in Queens College (now University) graduating in 1942. While a student, she distinguished herself as a leader in many phases of college life, and these interests continued for years after her graduation. She twice served as president of the National Alumnae Association, was a charter member of the Friends of the Library, was on the Queens College Board of Trustees for twenty four years, serving as secretary for nine years. In 1976 she received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; she was also presented with the Alumnae Service Award.

The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have been the fortunate recipients of her support. She was a former member of the Mint Museum of Art, serving as a member of the Board of Directors. She was also on the Board of Directors of Latta House and active in the work of the Mecklenburg Historical Association. She served as a Girl Scout leader and was also a leader of the 4H Club of Mecklenburg County. She was a founding member of the Steele Creek Literary Society.

As a member of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church, she was elected president of the Women of the Church and received the Honorary Life Membership award for her significant contributions to the organization. She was also a Sunday School teacher, a circle leader, and an advisor to the youth of the church. Her influence extended to areas beyond the local church as she worked as the assistant to the Director of Religion in the Synod of North Carolina following her graduation from college.

The roles that she valued most in life were that of wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty four years, Harvey Bradford Hunter, her brothers Jim Brown Edmiston and Ed Gray Edmiston and her sister Nell Edmiston Bruner. Surviving are her daughters, Sara Anne Hunter Hunter and her husband John Edgar Hunter III of Raleigh, NC; Mary Jane Hunter LaFave and her husband David Michael LaFave of Saluda, NC and her son, David Bradford Hunter and his wife Mary Stuart Hankins Hunter of Columbia, SC. Also surviving her are her grandchildren; John Bradford Hunter and Sara Carson Hunter of Raleigh, NC, Kara Bradford Guidry and her husband, Dr. Matthew Leith Guidry of Atlanta, GA, Gray Bradford Hunter of Columbia, SC, Elizabeth Stuart Hunter and her wife, Allison Christina Gardner of New York, NY, stepgrandson, David Owen LaFave and his wife Melissa Braithwaite LaFave of London, England, and her two great-grandsons; James Bradford Guidry and William Leith Guidry of Atlanta, GA. Michelle and Peter Braun of Charlotte, who were like family, also survive her as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The family expresses its deep gratitude to Sharon Towers Health Care and Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region staffs and especially to her caregivers, Trina Winston, Hazel Wright and Christine Fox who provided tremendous love and support over the years.

A private committal service will be held at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Historic Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Hill, 15000 York Rd., Charlotte, NC 28278 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

 

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  • Alex Morrison

    I wish to express my sincere sympathy in the passing of your Mother. Your Mother was a life long friend to my Mother, Louise Hall Morrison. They shared many of the same traits, family, Mt. Ulla, love for Queens College, very active in the Church, and involvement in the community. Ruth was a very, very, dear friend to my Mother. My prayers are with you all.

  • Bob and Dora Brown

    Please know how grateful we are for Ruth's life! We are thankful for our friendships through the years.
    Ruth with her whole family welcomed me to Steele Creek Presbyterian Church in 1956 when I began
    my job as Church Educator. She was a dear friend to whom I could confide. She invited Bob and me
    to her home for dinner when she also invited the Watt Coopers. When I was searching for ways to
    bring comfort to my nephew and niece, she invited me to bring them and my children to the farm.
    When I visited her at Sharon Towers, she always said, "How in the world are you?" Red was her color!

  • Rita Simpson

    Ruth was for years a strong pillar of support for her alma mater, Queens College(University). She was one of most dedicated alumnae the school has ever had. My love and deepest sympathy to her family.

  • Rick and Virginia St George

    Ruth had been a patient in our clinic over many years. She was always unfailingly kind, and shared the memories of her childhood and family with good humor. Our deepest condolences to her family.

  • Tina Edmiston Davis

    I remember Aunt Ruth with great fondness. I alsway looked forward to her visits when I was visiting with my grandparents, Jim and Francis Edmiston. She will ne missed.

  • John Sloop

    Everytime we went to the Edmiston reunion it was always interesting to see how my father, Joe Sloop, would interact with Brad and Ruth. My dad held Brad in high esteem and regarded him as an outstanding farmer and businessman, and thought Ruth to be a saint who hung the moon. Together, Brad and Ruth made a classy couple, and both left lasting impressions on others in the family, who saw them as a wonderful Christian couple that so many of us sought to emulate. Our loss, is God's gain. She will forever be missed. We lift her entire family up to God, as they rightfully mourn this most special lady.........John Sloop