Ruth Watkins Barber

1936 - 2026

Ruth Watkins Barber

July 17, 1936 - January 13, 2026

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Ruth Watkins Barber, born July 17, 1936, in Henderson, NC, died peacefully on January 13th, in Chapel Hill, NC surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of the late Straughan Henley Watkins and the late Amie Cheatham Watkins. Ruth graduated from Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, NC and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. While at UNC, she met the love of her life, Milton Augustus Barber, III, and they were married on Dec 20, 1957.

Ruth and Milton lived in Durham, NC where they raised their 4 children. Known for her beauty and grace as well as her smarts and humor, Ruth was an active member of St Stephen's Episcopal Church, a proud member of the Colonial Dames, the Junior League of Durham, and the Up-to-Date Club. Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Ruth was an avid bridge player, loved all UNC sports and playing golf at Hope Valley Country Club.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 68 years, Milton Augustus Barber III, her four children, Margaret Barber Wood (Bill), Milton Augustus Barber IV (Lloyd), Andrew Jackson Watkins Barber (Katie), Sabat Parham Barber (Kim), ten grandchildren, William and Ruthie Wood, Parham and Sam Robinson, Madison and Milt Barber, Jackson, William and John Barber, Rob, Marion and Anna Barber and 3 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted on January 20th at 11am at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Durham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Glorious Life Home Care Services, AuthoraCare Collective of Greensboro, or St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Durham.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank all the family and friends who visited and kept in touch with Ruth over the last years of her life. There are no words to describe the family's gratitude to Alice David of Glorious Life Home Care Services for the loving care Alice and her team provided to Ruth. The family also thanks Dr Lindsay Wilson UNC Health, and AuthoraCare Collective of Greensboro for their care of Ruth.

The family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.