Ruth Ann Pruett Matthews

Ruth Ann Pruett Matthews, 72, of Morganton, NC went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 10, 2016.  Born in Cleveland County, NC on January 31, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Lester Lee Pruett and Annie Belle Queen Pruett.

Mrs. Matthews graduated from Salem High School in 1962.  She worked for Drexel Heritage Furniture for 5 ½ years and Wamsutta Knitting Mills for 5 years prior to their closing.  She then attended Western Piedmont Community College and graduated with honors as a registered nurse.  After her graduation, Ruth worked for Valdese General Hospital for almost 18 years, where she dearly loved her patients.

She enjoyed traveling to the beach and mountains, as well as reading western novels and watching western movies.  Ruth greatly enjoyed personally meeting Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Stewart.

Mrs. Matthews is survived by her husband of 50 years, Fred Melton Matthews of the home; a daughter, Cynthia Matthews Keenan (Jimmy) of Valdese; a son, Michael Matthews (Shay) of Hickory, NC; a grandson, Michael Payton Matthews of Morganton; a number of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Pat Pruett Heavner (Homer) of Valdese and Betty Jo Pruett Braswell (Bobby) of Morganton; brothers, Lee Roy Pruett (Bernice) of Morganton, Carl Allen Pruett (Pat) of Hickory, James Earl Pruett (Rhonda) of Utah, and Lt. Col. Anthony Pruett, USAF (Ret.) (Theresa) of Florida; and a large number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 pm, Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  The funeral will be held at 3 pm in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Diana Spangler-Crawford officiating.  Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.