Ruby Pitts

Ruby Myers Pitts, 97, of Grace Ridge in Morganton, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, at Grace Ridge Health Care Center following a period of declining health. She was born July 8, 1909, in Wilkes County, and was the fifth child of Samuel Quincey Myers and Sarah Clementine Woodruff Myers of Lenoir. Ruby was the wife of Henry Preston Pitts, who operated the Caldwell Hotel in Morganton. This hotel was part of a chain owned and operated by S.Q. Myers & Sons which included hotels in Lenoir, Hickory, Albemarle and Concord, and hotels in Greenville, Chester, Sumter, Rock Hill, Florence and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Mr. and Mrs. Pitts were prominent supporters of the Southern Hotel Association. Ruby attended Davenport Academy, Anderson, and Ward Belmont Colleges. She was a loyal member of the Heilhecker class of the First United Methodist Church of Morganton. Mrs. Pitts received recognition for 50 years of faithful service with the American Red Cross and was a faithful volunteer at Grace Hospital for many years. Her many friends will remember her beautiful floral arrangements through the years at Grace Ridge, her hospitality in her home, her unfailing generosity, the card games she enjoyed and her many beautiful needlework pieces. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry Preston Pitts; a son, Henry Preston Pitts Jr.; brothers, Samuel Lestus Myers and Wake Hidalgo Myers; and sisters, Pearl Crosby Heath, Norma Myers McClellan and Anita Myers Grady. A celebration of Mrs. Pitts's life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the mezzanine at Grace Ridge with the Revs. Bill Bowman and Shelton Stephenson officiating. Burial was held earlier at Bellevue Cemetery in Lenoir. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Ridge Friendship Fund, 500 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655, or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. On-line condolences may be made at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.