Rutha “Ruthie” Carolyn Woodring (Banther)

Rutha “Ruthie” Carolyn Woodring (Banther), 80, of Lake Toxaway, passed peacefully at home May 18, 2023, due to complications of progressive supranuclear palsy. Mother’s Day weekend prior, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren, who adored her and will carry her love with them always.

Love and care were her specialties.Her expression of them unfailing in the midst of life’s challenges and even as her health declined in recent years. She was a humble-hearted, kind, giving person of Christian faith, who always put the needs of her family and friends before her own. She was a hard worker, providing for her family many years as an employee of Cashiers Plastics and later, M-B Industries.

Both before and after she retired, she poured herself into hosting family gatherings, cooking big, delicious meals, gardening and canning and creating memories with and for her loved ones. Her sweet spirit and warm hospitality will be deeply missed by her children and grandchildren and anyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by and is now reunited with, her parents, Carl and Rhoda (Clark) Banther; siblings, Edith “Dee Dee” Owen, Sue Fowler, Elsie Owen, Charlie Banther and Della Inman; first husband, Kenneth Banther; son, Joseph Banther; and second husband, Rufus Woodring.

She is survived by one sister, Ella Faye Smith (Hugh); sons, Michael Banther, Russell Banther and Bryan Kelly Banther; daughter, Freda Dias (André); and grandchildren, Caleb Dias, Joshua Dias and Sara Dias; as well as many relatives of her late husband, Rufus.

She leaves a legacy of caregiving and love. While the family welcomes flowers, or donations to Four Seasons Hospice (211 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or www.FourSeasonsFDN.org), perhaps the best way to honor her memory is to love others, even when it’s hard and there is little recognition to be gained.

Services will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Moody-Connelly Funeral Home, 181 South Caldwell St. in Brevard. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., with a service following in the chapel at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Mack McCall Cemetery. Pastor Fred Griggs will officiate.