Ruth Wyatt Harris

Ruth Wyatt Harris passed away peacefully at home on August 19, 2026.

Ruth was born on January 31, 1940, in Wilkes County, North Carolina. She married Ernest Gray Harris Jr. in 1956, and they moved to Statesville. They were married for 53 years until his death; they loved each other fiercely and taught their family a lifetime of lessons about protection, loyalty, standing up for one another, and unconditional love. Together, they had four children: William Roger, Toni Lee, Jimmy Gray, and Timothy W. She worked at Beaunit Textiles and later for Clark Equipment, where she retired as a receiving administrator. She was a long-time member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church; she loved being surprised by family joining her on Sunday mornings.

Ruth will be remembered for how deeply she loved her family, her unwavering faith in the Lord, and her regular texts and Facebook comments where she let you know how much you mattered. She was always the first person to call you on your birthday, making sure you felt extra special at the beginning of your day. If you ever stopped by to visit her, she always had a pot of coffee waiting and offered you a bite to eat.

She was proud to be Mamaw Ruthie, and she was always ready to brag on her grandchildren. She spent many hours cheering on her kids and then her grandkids in bleachers all over Iredell County. She loved to find a 'deal' and, in turn, taught us all how to stretch a dollar. She never met a chocolate that she didn't like and always had a secret stash so she didn't run out. She was a true Southern cook, and the family was known to fight over the corners of her dressing, the leftover coconut cake, and the fudge she made for the holidays. She rarely admitted it, but she secretly enjoyed the loudness and banter when the entire family was together.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Todd and Lillie Canzada Wyatt; her husband, Gray Jr.; two of her children, Roger and Toni; and siblings, Hazel Lunsford, Leonard Wyatt, Barbara Holloway, Arlee Spears, and Ernest Wyatt.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jimmy (Cindy) Harris and Timmy (Lisa) Harris; grandchildren Stephanie Harris, Jennifer (Justin) Sexton, Joseph Harris, Rowdy (Rachel) Harris, and Dillon (Lindsey) Harris; and her lifelong best friend and niece, Margie Lilies. She had numerous nieces and nephews in Wilkes County who she also loved deeply.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sunday, August 23 at Troutman Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 24 at Diamond Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Holleman officiating. Burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Park.

We will all miss sitting with her on the porch looking out at the lake.

Ruth always said, "bring me flowers while I am still alive so I can enjoy them." In keeping with her wishes, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Diamond Hill Baptist Church, 2320 E Broad Street, Statesville NC 28625.

Arrangements for Mrs. Ruth Harris are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.