Ruth Daphine Flowers

Ruth Daphine Bradshaw Flowers passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14, 2024, just eleven days before her 100th birthday. She was surrounded by her family at Carmel Hills in Charlotte, NC.
Ruth was born on Christmas Day 1924, a fact she was always proud of, in Gastonia, NC to Avery and Mamie Bradshaw and was a lifelong resident of the Gastonia community. She worked for Southern Bell for 33 years before retiring in her early 50's.
She married in 1946 and raised four children while working full time at Southern Bell, managing to balance both her career and family life with grace. In addition to her work, she was a talented seamstress, often sewing for others, and she took pride in cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for her family every day. Ruth and her husband, Blen, cherished camping trips to the beach and various other locations with their children during their younger years. Later, they spent many memorable years at Mountain Lake in Chester, SC, where they owned a converted train caboose that served as their vacation home. Additionally, they enjoyed frequent visits to Myrtle Beach, SC, where they had a home at Apache Campground. Their children and grandchildren often joined them at these special locations, making those times even more meaningful. Ruth also enjoyed traveling with friends throughout the years, creating many wonderful memories along the way.
Ruth was a member of both Flint Groves Baptist Church and later Parkwood Baptist Church. She volunteered with the Southern Bell Pioneers and was an active participant in the Senior XYZ Club where she could often be found dancing well into her eighty-eighth year. Ruth was also a proud member of the Lunch Bunch. Her love for gardening shone through her dedication to the Shannon Community Garden Club, where she nurtured her love for all things green and blooming.
Ruth was the most wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to everyone who knew her. With her warm smile and kind spirit, she touched the hearts of all who crossed her path. We will remember her as an exceptional cook and an avid reader, as well as for her green thumb, her treasured doll collection, her love of jewelry, and her great sense of humor. Always in a good mood, Ruth's beauty radiated both inside and out, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Radigan (Patrick); sons, Jeffrey Flowers (Gina) and Johnny Flowers (Vivian); grandchildren, Heather Raby (Robert), Shelley Robinson (Tim), Ava Flowers, Tiffany Durst (Allen), and Shannon Radigan (Geoff); great- grandchildren, Lily, Chloe and Georgia Raby, Hannah and Collins Durst; and son-in-law, Candler Bumgarner, all who held a special place in her heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Avery and Mamie Bradshaw; beloved husband of 54 years, Blen Flowers; daughter, Kandy Flowers Bumgarner; grandson, Brent Bumgarner; and brother, Avery "Brady" Bradshaw, Jr.
A private graveside service will be held to honor and celebrate Ruth's life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation at www.christopherreeve.org, in memory of her grandson, Brent Bumgarner.
Our deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Carmel Hills in Charlotte for the exceptional care they provided.