Ruby Jean Dillingham Camp, 91, formerly of Lawndale, passed away Wednesday morning, July 26, at Regency Retirement Village in Charlotte. Ruby was the daughter of the late Hugh J. Dillingham Sr. and Annie Jones Dillingham; and the widow of Dan Turner Camp, who passed away in 1987. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Hugh Dillingham Jr., Howard (Deely) Dillingham and Don Dillingham.

She is survived by three sons, Steve Camp (wife Jackie) of Charlotte; David Camp (wife Susann) of Asheboro; and Derek Camp (wife Kim) of Lawndale; four grandchildren, Brandon Camp of Charlotte; Daniel Camp and twins John Turner Camp and Caleb Camp, all of Lawndale; a beloved sister, Carolyn Dillingham Hamrick of Shelby; and sister-in-law Carolyn Towery Dillingham of Grover. Survivors in addition to children and grandchildren include a number of nieces and nephews from both the Camp and Dillingham sides of the family.

Ruby was born in Tampa, FL on Aug. 13, 1925, but her family returned to their native Cleveland County in the early 1930s, living on a farm in the Pleasant Hill community between Shelby and Grover along Buffalo Creek. She attended and graduated from Number Three School, where she met her future husband, Dan, who lived in nearby Earl. The couple lived in Shelby and Waco before moving to Lawndale in 1957 when Dan became principal of Piedmont School. Both were active members of Lawndale Baptist Church for many years and participated in many community endeavors. After raising her children and working part-time as a school secretary, Ruby decided to pursue a nursing career and earned her LPN certification from Cleveland Community College. She was employed for almost a decade at Cleveland Regional Medical Center before retiring and later became a hospice volunteer. Following her husband's passing, Ruby remained in Lawndale until health issues forced her to move to a retirement community in Charlotte, near her oldest son Steve.

Ruby loved her children and grandchildren dearly and until her health began to fail nothing pleased her more than to prepare and serve delicious meals for them, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Among her most cherished memories were the many family beach trips when her children were young, especially those with her sister Carolyn's family to Crescent Beach in the 1960s. She also loved the numerous Dillingham Fourth of July picnics that were held at the old home place along Buffalo Creek and the countless humorous "tall tales" told by her beloved brothers about the family and their childhood days growing up on the farm.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Regency Retirement Village and Hospice and Palliative Care, and especially special friend Felicia Dean for the generous and loving care she provided Ruby for more than two years.

Funeral service will be on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Cecil M, Burton Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. John Bridges officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour before the service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to a charity of choice.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Camp.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com