Mary Ruth Coley (nee Bost), 93, of Salisbury, NC passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at her home. She was born January 28, 1927 in Salisbury, NC to Mary Belle Ketner and Floyd S. Bost.

Ruth had five older brothers in World War II. She said her mother “continually prayed them brothers home safely”. Her mother was a long time member of Maupin Avenue Presbyterian Church and brought her younger children to church, just as Ruth brought her children, John and Deborah. John and Debby had 14 years perfect attendance pins at one time, as Ruth herself had perfect attendance for most of her life.

She taught the ladies’ class in the church library for many years, served as chairman of the day circle until it merged with the night circle, participated in weekly bible study and sang in the choir. She said, “I love singing in the choir even though my voice is not very good.”

Ruth attended Boyden High School and worked as a seamstress for Cannon Mills for many years. She met and married Walter Coley in June 1969 after her two children were grown. She retired from Cannon Mills at age 60 and went on to do alterations at Belk. After retiring from Belk, she continued do alterations from home. She also volunteered for One Church One Child.

Ruth was an avid gardener and loved working jigsaw puzzles with her friends and family. She enjoyed reading and taking walks with her daughter’s little dog Jack. She lived independently, even continuing to mow her own lawn well into her 90s, and often helped care for friends and neighbors.

Much of this description of Ruth’s life was written by Ruth herself for a profile in the church newsletter in April 2019. She wrote, “I have truly been blessed all the days of my life and one day will dwell in His House forever.” In October 2019 she was honored when the church dedicated one of its new stained-glass windows to her. Ruth couldn’t say enough about her wonderful church family.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Coley; daughter, Deborah Hughes; brothers John, Harold, Holland “Bud”, Robert, Jake and Max Bost; and sister Betty Johnson.

Ruth is survived by her son, John H. Smith (Gigi) of Statesville, NC; sister Lina “Scout” Lomax (Jim), of Salisbury, NC; five granddaughters, Jennifer Hughes and Lauren English (Mark) of Kentucky, Andrea Stallings, Alison Coulter and Alicia Fisher of North Carolina; 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Maupin Avenue Presbyterian Church, 100 Maupin Ave., Salisbury, NC 28144 with a celebration of life at 11 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Rowan Memorial Park in Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maupin Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Carolina Cremation of Salisbury and Charlotte is assisting the Coley family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.