AHOSKIE, NC – Ruth Parker Overton, age 90, of Ahoskie, ascended to her Lord peacefully on August 12, 2018. She was surrounded by her family.

Born Ruth Mitchell Parker, in Ahoskie, on June 18th, 1928 to Walter S. and Mary Sally Parker and welcomed by her sister Elizabeth. They were a family of farmers and were spiritually rich in their solid belief and trust in God. Ruth was baptized in Stoney Creek as a member of Hickory Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Ruth survived The Great Depression and World War II, a product of “The Greatest Generation.”

After her graduation from Ahoskie High School, Ruth met and married Floyd D. “Dutch” Overton, who had returned home to Ahoskie following World War II. Together, they raised four children and enjoyed a thirty-five year marriage until his death in 1983.

Ruth was a devoted loving wife, mother and church member. Her home was blessed by her strong Christian faith. It was often said that she wore the smile of a Christian. After her marriage, she transferred her church membership to First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, where she taught children’s Sunday school during the 1960’s.

She was a homemaker for most of her life but served as an assistant librarian and substitute school teacher at Ahoskie High School during the 1970’s while Dutch was employed as a teacher and assistant principal at the school. Ruth’s children remember her as a wife and mother who worked ceaselessly to care for her family. Even during family vacations at their cottage in Nags Head, she did not rest or relax; she cleaned the fish her boys caught and then cooked them for her family to enjoy. She never complained and always shared positive words.

During her later years, Ruth enjoyed traveling along the eastern coast. She especially enjoyed visits with her sister in Jacksonville, FL, visits to her children’s homes and Myrtle Beach, SC, meeting her family there.

Ruth is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Sally Willoughby Parker; father, Walter S. Parker; husband, “Dutch” Overton and granddaughter, Morgan Overton.

Left to cherish her memory is her sister, Mary “Elizabeth” Cavender of Jacksonville, FL; sons, David D. Overton of Ahoskie, Gary Parker Overton and wife Candace of Greenville, NC, and Dutch D. Overton and wife Anne of New Bern, NC; and daughter, Wendy Ruth Overton-Ervin and husband Barry of Marietta, Georgia. Also surviving include four granddaughters, Angie Weaver and husband, Dennis of Detroit Lakes, MN; Lindsay Overton of New Bern, NC; Jordan Overton of Raleigh, NC and Charlotte Overton of Columbia, SC; two grandsons, Barry A. Ervin of Atlanta, GA and William Overton Ervin of Marietta, GA; and two great grandchildren, Laken Weaver and Zane Weaver of Detroit Lakes, MN. Several cousins survive to continue cherishing her memory also.

The family would like to express thankfulness to Mrs. Overton’s caregivers at Ahoskie House for the compassionate care that they gave to their mother for the past nine years. Many expressed fond memories of her kind spirit and beautiful, bright blue eyes.

The family will receive visitors at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service-Ahoskie Chapel on Saturday, August 18th from 2:00-2:45 pm. A celebration of life service follows the visitation at 3:00 pm, with the Reverend Trey Gilliam officiating. Burial will follow at the Ahoskie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made directly to Ahoskie First Baptist Church or directly to the Alzheimer’s Association or online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search, then type Ruth Overton.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service will be handling the arrangements for the Overton family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.