Ruth Elaine Vespasian

1942 - 2023

Ruth Elaine Vespasian of Murphy passed away on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023.
Ruth was born on Dec. 1, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Albert D. and Lucille E. Crawford. She was preceded in death by her parents and her only sibling, brother Tom Crawford.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Bill, whom she married in 1960. Bill was career Navy so they were fortunate to be able to travel and live in many different and interesting locales throughout his career. Ruth's grandparents and mother were from Murphy, so upon Bill's Navy retirement, the family moved to Murphy in 1977 from San Diego, Calif., to be near extended and caring family in this area.
She worked for several years in Murphy as a secretary/receptionist and retired as secretary of First United Methodist Church of Murphy. She was a member of Tomotla United Methodist Church and always enjoyed spending time with her church family.
In addition to her husband, she leaves behind her beloved children and her "children" through marriage, Bill Vespasian Jr. and wife Sharon of Murphy and Susan Blaylock and husband Bryan of Seymour, Tenn. Ruth was blessed with three grandsons and two "granddaughters" through marriage, Billy Vespasian III and wife Sarah of Murphy, Jesse Blaylock of Sevierville, Tenn., and Jake Blaylock and wife Olivia of Knoxville, Tenn. Ruth was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Emalyn Vespasian and twins Brynley and Bowen Blaylock.
Ruth felt that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest blessings in life.
She also leaves her special "grandboy," Jackson Badger of Murphy, and nephew Jon Crawford, nephew Scott Crawford and wife Dawn, and great-nieces Emily and Abbey Crawford, all of Ohio.
A Celebration of Life service led by Pastor Rob Rollins will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Tomotla United Methodist Church and inurnment will be in the church cemetery.Ruth's request is that memorials be made to Tomotla UMC, 104 Moose Creek Lane, Marble NC 28905.