Ruth Koch Solomon

ruth solomon

December 19, 1919 ~ February 28, 2023

Born in: Bethlehem, PA
Resided in: Pittsboro, NC

Ruth Marian Koch was born on December 19, 1919 to Floyd Rollin Koch and Annabell  Elizabeth  Cott Koch in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Her father managed the silk mill there and her grandmother, Mary Ann Belben Cott ( Nanny), and grandfather  Algernon Frederick Cott lived with the family.  She had an enchanting and loving childhood and felt she had the most perfect family possible.  She had an older brother, Bert, and three sisters, Muriel, Grace and Jeannette who all predeceased her.  She lived in Pennsylvania until she was about ten when her family moved to Virginia so her father could manage the silk mill in Grottoes, and that’s where she spent her growing up years.  She was a friendly, popular and outgoing young woman and maintained friendships with several of her buddies up into her 90’s. She enjoyed sports, playing the violin, and being in community plays.  After high school, her family moved to the Washington DC area where she attended Washington Missionary College.

In 1940 she married Leland Carter and they had two children, Ronald Leland Carter (Kathleen) and Carolee Carter Eubanks (Billy).  She worked as a secretary for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and made a number of lasting friendships there.  In 1960 she met and married the “love of her life”, Bill Solomon, and they enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage.  Bill moved her and her children to North Carolina.   They retired to the Hendersonville area where they lived until  Bill’s death. Ruth worked in the medical records department at Fletcher Hospital for many years. She was very involved with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and served as a deaconess, Sabbath School Superintendent and childrens’ leader.  She also enjoyed playing her violin with a group .  She started a shut-in visitation program for the church and spent many days driving around in her little blue Toyota visiting shut-ins and taking them cookies.  She was also instrumental in establishing a community service center there.

After Bill’s death, she moved to Taylorsville to live near her granddaughter, Tammy Grant (Alan)

where she continued to keep up her visitation routine with the local rest home.  She would take cookies and pray with each resident (whether they wanted her to or not!)  She also thoroughly enjoyed being the only woman in a senior citizens bluegrass group that met in town.  When it became obvious that she shouldn’t live alone any longer, she moved to Pittsboro to live with her granddaughter, Missy Beckwith.  There she often told the childrens’ stories at church and took part in prayer meetings.  She made some wonderful and lasting friendships and was loved by all.

She was the world’s greatest grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and aunt.  She was loved by generations of family and prayed for each one of her kids each night.  She said that she believed that the Lord let her live this long so she could pray for her loved ones and encourage them to stay close to Jesus.  

Her story telling skills were phenomenal.  In addition to telling stories in church, she regaled several generations with tales of fairies and leprechauns and magical happenings.  Despite  evidence to the contrary, she convinced her grandchildren that Santa Claus did indeed exist!  She also wrote a book about her mother’s family that was published privately and was working on a book about Bill’s family.  While in Hendersonville she wrote an article each month for the church newsletter  highlighting a different family.  

She was talented but modest, enjoyed life thoroughly and was sometimes a bit outrageous.  She loved people and wanted everybody she met to meet Jesus.  She was looking forward to heaven and meeting her family there.  The week before her death, she told Missy and Stephanie  that it was time to go.  When they asked where she was going , she said ‘ to heaven’.  Her life was one well lived.

She leaves a lot of people who were very special to her. Her son Ron and daughter Carolee; Grandchildren: Cameo Carter (Chris), Michael Carter (Jana), Jessica Smith (Kevin), Tammy Grant (Alan), Muriel (Missy) Beckwith.  Great-grandchildren: Stephanie Rutkowske (Jason), Brittany Beckwith, Courtney Haas (Ryan), Anthony Grant (Amanda), Ethan Grant (Chelsea), and Katrina Detter (Bobby), Aidan Walls, Morgan Walls, Owen Walls, Corbin Smith, Alden Smith and Iris Ruth Smith (her namesake). Great-great grandchildren, Tucker, Tolbert and Reagan Grant and Norah Grant; Nephews Van Carter (Anita), Barry Carter (Tammie), David Carter (Kathy),  Karl Reichenbach (Lisa), Bill Reichenbach (Fran), Tom Carter and Rick Carter and niece Lisa Pinnick (David) and her very best friend, Betty Snyder,  as well as beloved great nephews and niece and a host of dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Pittsboro Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The service will be livestreamed at https://pittsboronc.adventistchurch.org/live–recorded-video

Memorials may be made to: Pittsboro Seventh-day Adventist Church, P.O. Box 339, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Services

Memorial Service: April 2, 2023 2:00 pm

Pittsboro Seventh-day Adventist Church
637 West Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312


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Charities

The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Ruth Koch Solomon 's name.

Pittsboro SDA Church

P.O. Box 339
Pittsboro, NC

Tribute Video

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. You were such a precious friend Ruthie. Thanks for the memories and the laughter. I look forward to a big hug when we all get to Heaven. I will miss until that day.

  2. What a beautiful tribute to a very classy lady! Such a beautiful woman inside and out. She was such a dear, sweet and best friend to my momma Betty. I loved hearing all the stories of mom’s visits with Ruthie. All the times they slept in the same bed and ate chocolate in the middle of the night like high school kids and all of their adventures around town.

    Ruthie’s smile was contagious. I cannot wait until we can see her again and see that beautiful smile when she sees her Lord and Savior coming to take her home to live for eternity with all of her loved ones. ❤️

  3. DanDan was a rare gift to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her vibrant personality brightened everyone around. I feel blessed to have experienced this privilege. I look forward to when we meet again!!


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