Ruth Ellen Harris Ostwalt

July 1, 1931 - Aug. 31, 2012

Ruth Ellen Harris Ostwalt, 81, of Troutman, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 31, 2012 at Gordon Hospice House and has gone to be with Jesus. She was born in Iredell County on July 1, 1931 to the late Paul Revere Harris, Sr. and Carrie Ellen Daniels Harris. Ruth was a homemaker whose family was extremely important to her. She particularly loved family get-togethers, especially family beach vacations, and enjoyed shopping and cooking for her family. She cherished her children and grandchildren and dearly loved each and every one of them. Ruth was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Troutman where she was a member of the choir, the Women in Missions group and the Whitener/Little Sunday School class. She worked at the Barium Springs Day Care Center for a number of years until her retirement. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, John B. Ostwalt, Sr.; two daughters, Anita Watson (Ricky) of Salisbury and Beverly Ostwalt of Troutman; a son, Brantley Ostwalt (Staci) of Statesville; seven grandchildren, J. D. Lippard, Michael Watson (April), Cammy Basinger (Marty), Steven Turbeville, Savannah Ostwalt, Cierrah Ostwalt and Cassie Sims; five great grandchildren, Lauren Turbeville, Jacob Watson, Max Watson, Chandler Basinger and Isabella Basinger; three brothers, Paul "Sonny" Harris, Jr. (Edith), Melvin Harris (Shirley), and J. D. Harris (Marie); two sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Harmon Deal and Helen Mayfield (Gordon); a sister-in-law Clarice Miller (Harold); and a number of nieces and nephews who were all very special and dear to her heart. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2-3:00 p. m. on Sunday, September 2, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Troutman. A memorial service honoring Ruth will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Mike Carr officiating. At other times, the family will assemble at the residence. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or Troutman First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 717, Troutman, NC 28166.