Mrs. Ruth Earle Walker died on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her children and caregivers.

She was born Sept. 27, 1926, to the late R.L. and Dolly McBride Peoples. She was a graduate of Farmington High School, Class of 1943, and The Barbizon Beauty School in Winston-Salem. She enjoyed doing hair for more than 50 years. She began her career as a hairdresser in Harmony, just after she graduated beauty school. She sold her shop and came to Mocksville to work for Mae Howard in her shop on Main Street after getting married to the love of her life, Edd S. Walker, on Jan. 26, 1946. She continued working for Mae until the early 1950s when they had a small shop built next to the house so she could work at home and be close to their babies. She spent her life taking care of her family. When their third child was born, a beauty shop was added onto the end of the house. She loved all of her customers and enjoyed seeing each of her ladies each week. There were some that she would pick up and take home so they could get their hair done. She continued doing hair until her husband had a stroke and she no longer had the time to continue working. She took excellent care of him as his health declined. She loved going to the mountains, working in her flowers and in the yard, painting resin and wood figures and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her hubband, Edd S. Walker; and siblings, Ted Peoples and Violet Sharpe.

Survivors: 3 children, Edwin Walker (Sue), Steve Walker (Melanie) and Melissa Souther (Keith); 4 grandchildren, Misty Walker, Tiffany Walker, Amanda Bullard (Mitchell) and Avery Brown; 2 great-grandchildren, Camryn and Harper Bullard; a sister, Myrle Lowdermilk of Jamestown; brother-in-law, Jack Walker (Doris); sister-in-law, Gail Kelly (Jimmy); and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 7 at Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church with the Revs. Bob Briggs and James T. Webb Jr. officiating.  The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorials: Chestnut Grove UMC, Memo: Bookbags of Hope Project, 2812 US 601 N, Mocksville; or Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, 377 Hospital St., Ste. 103, Mocksville.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.