Ruth Carol (Gaskill) Bradford

Ruth Carol Gaskill Bradford was ushered peacefully into the arms of her Savior from the home of her beloved niece, Kathy Hewitt, in Burgaw, NC on December 29, 2010.  She left behind many friends and loved ones who will miss her dearly, and remember her for her unwavering love, sacrifice, and devotion, as well as her compassion and generosity toward those in need.

Ruth was born in Beaufort, North Carolina on December 14, 1929 to Raymond and Jeanette Buttrey Gaskill.  You can see her birthplace in the historical district-the Beaufort Jail.  Her grandfather was the jailer and her parents lived with him and his wife at the time of Ruth’s birth.  She always delighted to tell people she was born in a jailhouse and wait for the surprised looks.  At the age of 20, she moved to Greensboro, NC, and became a telephone operator with AT&T.  In those days, the operator manually worked the switchboard.  Ruth’s ability with numbers and her winning personality guaranteed her success.  Ruth returned to Beaufort a few years later, where she met and married Neale Bradford, a United States Marine. Ruth and Neale raised four children together until their divorce in 1973. Ruth resumed her career with AT&T in Sacramento, California. An exemplary employee, Ruth received numerous awards for her professionalism.  After her children were grown, she transferred to Fort Worth, Texas to be near her sister Peggy.  Ruth retired in 1995 and returned to her native North Carolina to care for her mother and spend time with friends and family.

Ruth was an intelligent woman-a whiz at math and an avid reader. In an age of consumerism and debt, she lived by the adage, “if you can’t pay cash for it, you can’t afford it.” She was a wonderful cook and gifted in needlework.  Ruth also loved antiques and enjoyed frequenting antique stores, garage sales, and flea markets in search of hidden treasures. The most valuable treasure she found, however, was the “pearl of great price”-forgiveness and a new life in Jesus Christ. In her latter days, her relationship with the Lord grew more real and precious to her, and she learned to depend more deeply upon Him. When she departed this earth, she was truly a bride without spot or wrinkle, ready to meet her Savior face to face.

Ruth was preceded in death by both of her parents, as well as her sisters Daris, Norma Murray, and Eleanor (Peggy) Girvin Strittmatter.  She is survived by her children: Mary (Anthony) Barranti of Peachtree City, Georgia; Laura (Paul) Neyer of Tehachapi, California; Norma (Robert) White of the Inland Northwest, and Neale (Lordis) Bradford of Wichita, Kansas; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; her “sister-in-law” Ruth Murray, her nieces Kathy (Robert) Murray Hewitt, Debra Murray, Donna Murray, Karen (Eric) Murray Hall, Stephanie Girvin Willis, her nephew, Noel “Pete” Girvin, as well as grand-nieces and grand-nephews, several cousins and many old and very dear friends.

Pastor Marty Warren will officiate services to be held 2:00 pm Thursday, January 6, 2011, at Munden Funeral Home, 2112 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557-3952, (252) 726-8066. Internment will follow at Oceanview Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home.

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