, 86, of Statesville, N.C., died on July 7, 2025, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. Born on February 16, 1939, in Iredell County, she was the daughter of the late Haywood and Martha Lucille Martin Gillespie. She loved being a homemaker, a wife and a mother to her beloved family. Her husband, Thomas Fair, preceded her in death in 2008. She was also preceded in death by her son, Samuel Gillespie, and by her brother Anthony.

A 1957 graduate of Morningside High School, she attended Livingstone College in Salisbury. She was also the church organist for many churches in the area.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Valerie Tesoriero of Huntersville, Donna Fair of Statesville, and Barbara Fair, also of Statesville. Her brother, James Edward Martin of Richmond, Va., also survives her. Three sisters, Josephine Lowe of Statesville, and Margaret Archer and Harriet Gail, both of Virginia, survive her. Several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews are also left to cherish her memory.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 5 until 6 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville. A service of celebration for the life of Ruth will follow at 6 p.m. with Bishop John Carr Jr. officiating. Ruth will be interred following a private service at a later time.

The family requests that memorials be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County; 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Words cannot express the level of appreciation for the care that Ruth received in her final days from the caring staff of the Gordon Hospice House. Her neighbors, EMS, the Fire Departments, the staff of Iredell Memorial Hospital (1st and 3rd Floors), and Centerwell Home Health Agency mean the world to the family for the dedication and care that they lovingly provided to make Ruth comfortable and cared for as time proceeded.

To express your condolences to the family online, please visit www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com, and select the obituary for Ruth Fair.