Obituary of Ruby A. Trivette

Ruby Adams Trivette, 99, of Todd, N.C., passed away Friday, March 7, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center, Boone, N.C. Born November 27, 1914, she was predeceased by her parents, Marshall M. and Celia Adams Trivette, brothers Page, Joseph, Thomas, George, John, James, and sister Mary. She is survived by six nieces and nephews, Larry Trivette of Todd and special friend Elizabeth Chesnut and daughter Clarice of Raleigh, Barbara Gibbs of Knightdale, Sharon Murphy and husband Michael of Raleigh, Joyce Benson of Raleigh, Betty Cave and husband Mark of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Gary Trivette of Charlotte. Also surviving are 13 great nieces and nephews, Jennifer O�Loughlin of Rolesville, Matthew Benson and wife Kellianne of Charlotte, Joseph Murphy and special friend Lisa Murphy of Raleigh, Catherine Murphy of Raleigh, Rikki Gibbs and Ruby Gibbs of Knightdale, Ruth Gibbs of Washington, DC, Kristina Trivette and fianc� Andy Heggeman of Black Mountain, Jaime Roper and husband Stephen of Yellowstone National Park, WY, and Celia Trivette of Todd, Vicki Tolley of Griffin, GA, Stacey Lybrand and Paige Trivette of Charlotte; 8 great-great nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-law, Grace Trivette of Boone and Jean Roach of Lansing. Ruby was a lifelong member of the Todd community and South Fork Baptist Church. She graduated with highest honors from Appalachian State Teachers College, now ASU, with a teaching degree in English, French and Social Studies, and completed a Master of Arts degree in English and Education there. After teaching for one year in Wilkes County, she returned to spend the rest of her teaching career in Ashe County at Elkland High School, West Jefferson High School, and Beaver Creek High School. She retired after 38 years of teaching. Ruby was a woman of strong faith who was very active in her church until advancing age made it difficult for her to attend services regularly. She loved literature, education, gardening, and travel. She instilled in her family the importance of education, strong character and morals, self sacrifice, and the pursuit of excellence. Over the years she inspired hundreds of students, many of whom returned to thank her for the influence she had in their lives. In 2000 the Todd Ruritan Club established an annual scholarship in her name to be awarded to a local student for their first year in college. In 1999 Ruby was honored with a story in National Geographic Magazine, �New River�s Deep Soul�. She shared stories about growing up in Todd and what life was like in the past. Two years later she was the subject of a chapter in the book People of the New River in which she again talked about her experiences during her lifetime. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at South Fork Baptist Church in Todd with Rev. Homer Murdock, Rev. David Cooper, and Rev. Herbert McCoy officiating. Burial will follow in the Howell Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Howell Cemetery Fund, in care of Larry Trivette, 10550 Hwy 194 North, Todd, NC 28684. Arrangements are by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, Boone, N.C. Condolences can be made at http://www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.