Ruth Gretchen Rufty

DURHAM – Miss Ruth Gretchen Rufty, 94, crossed over to be with the Lord on Monday, May 29, 2023 at the home of Mrs. Hazel Ladd in Garner, North Carolina. Gretchen was preceded in death by her mother, Loucile Rigsbee Rufty of Durham, and father, Louis Rothrock Rufty of Salisbury, her two brothers, Henry Edward Rufty, III and Louis Rothrock Rufty, Jr. , both of Salisbury, her uncles, Paul Rigsbee, Edwin Rigsbee, and Guilford Rigsbee, all of Durham. She is survived by her nieces, Ann Rufty, Cathy Rufty of Concord, and Donald Cook of Hillsborough, her care taker and valued friend.

Gretchen was born on July 12, 1928 in Durham. She graduated from Durham High School and studied music at Mars Hill College. She had a beautiful voice and often was the soloist at Duke Chapel services and in other locations. Over the years she attended Grey Stone Baptist Church and Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. At the time of her death she was a member of Bethel Christian Center.

Gretchen worked as a secretary early in her life at the Washington Duke Hotel, later called the Jack Tar Hotel, and the IRS. After many years of service she retired from the main office of the Durham Post Office.

A graveside service led by Pastors Don Westbrook and Larry Smith of Bethel Christian Center will be held in Durham’s Maplewood Cemetery on Thursday, June 1st, at 11:00 AM.