Ruby P. Setzer

Newton - Ruby Louise Pickel Setzer died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at Abernethy Laurels in Newton. Born June 7, 1916, in Lenoir City, Tenn., she was a daughter of the late Frank Eaton Pickel and Mary Kate England Pickel. Louise graduated from Lake City TN High School and worked as a secretary for an attorney in Lake City before her marriage to the late J. Bruce Astor Setzer, who died in 1985. She was a homemaker for many years while her family lived in Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri and Massachusetts. Several years after the family moved to Claremont to live, her husband's hometown, she added work outside the home. She "boarded" socks at a local manufacturing mill, "inspected" hosiery at Ridgeview Hosiery in Newton and was a retail sales clerk in a clothing store in Newton and a furniture store in Claremont. Louise was quite literate, a very good speller and had a lovely handwriting. Once, when her children were in school in Kansas City, she participated in a spelling bee among parents of the school's PTA. She won. A member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Claremont, she sang in the church choir, served as Sunday school and vacation Bible school teacher, was a member of the womens' groups, serving in all offices, was a member of the official board and was the church treasurer and bookkeeper for many years. She was an assistant Girl Scout leader and volunteered in many school and community activities. She also enjoyed crafts and was especially proficient in sewing and needlework, including knitting, crocheting, macramé and embroidery. After a cerebral hemorrhage stroke in April 1990 and two months of hospitalization, Louise was admitted to Emerald Care Nursing Home in Taylorsville on her birthday, June 7, 1990. She was there until her condition improved enough so that she was able to live with her daughter and son-in-law until another major stroke occurred. After that hospitalization, her condition was such that she was admitted to the skilled nursing unit of Abernethy Center Nursing Home in Newton in December 1991. The staff provided Louise with loving, expert care and we, her family, thank them with all our hearts. In addition to her parents and husband, brothers, Ralph Wilburn Pickel, Carl Eugene Pickel and Lester Roy Pickel, and a sister, Frances Irene Pickel Massengill Delozier, preceded her in death. Louise is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Ruth Setzer Sigmon and husband, Jimmy, of Claremont and their three children, Melissa Katherine Sigmon Fields and her husband, Bill, of Mint Hill, Jimmy Maran Sigmon Jr. and his wife, Keva, and their daughter, Chelsea Miranda, of Boone, Eric Calvin Sigmon and his children, Jessica Joy, Alec Calvin and Julia Jeanette of Claremont; a son, Dale Bruce Setzer and his wife, Julia, of Claremont and their four children, Dale Bruce Setzer Jr. and his wife, Selina, and their children, Abbie Katherine and Allie Keaton of Conover; Jonathan Clay Setzer of Nashville, Tenn., Patrick Kent Setzer of Boone and Paul Kelly Setzer and his wife, Larisa, of Newton and her daughter, Nathalie Sergeevna Setzer Balas and her husband, Mark, of Cary; one sister, Lillian Marie Pickel Davis of The Chandlers House in Jefferson City, Tenn.; and several other nephews and nieces and their families. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Claremont, with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Ray officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., at the church. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, general or cemetery funds, 3214 Catawba St., P.O. Box 233, Claremont N.C. 28610. Online condolences may be left for the Setzer family at www.drumfuneralhome.com. Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover is in charge of arrangements.