Ruth Elizabeth Rippy, 97, 846 Holly Ridge Road, Blacksburg, went home to be with the Lord December 31, 2011, at Kings Mountain Hospice House, Kings Mountain, NC. She was married to the late James Eldon Rippy and was a daughter of the late Basil Augustus and Hardenia Allison Rippy. She was a member of Mt. Paran Baptist Church and was retired from Clara Mill in Gastonia, NC. She loved her family and loved to garden.

She is survived by her son - James E. Rippy of Denver, NC; two sisters - Geraldine Camp Harvey of Columbia, SC, and Minnie Camp Rippy of Blacksburg, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her brother - Fay Camp.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, January 2, 2012, 2:00 PM, at Mt. Paran Baptist Church, with Revs. Chris Griggs and Jay Clever officiating. The family will receive friends Monday(prior to the service) from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at Mt. Paran Church. At other times, they will be at their respective homes. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers serving are David Gibbons, Wayne Thomas, Gary Thomas, Mason Thompson, Ray Kimbrell and Charles Neal.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Paran Baptist Church, 105 Mt. Paran Road, Blacksburg, SC, 29702; or to Kings Mountain Hospice House, 321 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain, NC, 28086.

E-condolences may be made at whitecolumnsfuneralservice.com.

White Columns of Blacksburg is caring for the Rippy Family.