Ruth Griffin Williams, age 88, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 at Watuaga Medical Center in Boone, North Carolina. Born in Rocky Mount, NC on February 8, 1933 to the late Richard Taswell Griffin, Jr. (aka Grand Daddy) and Fidelia Overton Griffin (aka Na Na) who she attributed her incredible faith in God, love for family and the doctrine of "personal responsibility". She was the fourth of ten siblings raised on a dairy farm named by her father as "Need More". A name representing a haven where home, farm and family were united by devotion to duty and to each other in the midst of always needing more.

Ruth is survived by her two children, Gregory (Greg) Kent Williams (Wife Gwynne) and Melinda (Lynne) Williams Critcher (Husband Danny); three grandchildren, Zachary (Zack) Hale Critcher (and his beloved Alex), Conner Joseph Williams and Gunner Griffin Williams. She is also survived by four sisters, two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. Sisters Nell Davenport, Marjorie Ramsey, Rebecca Pittman (Husband Jerry) and Charlotte Ahalt (Husband Tom); two sisters-in-law, Patsy Griffin and Martha Underwood, as well as, one brother-in-law Wray Williams. Ruth is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was immeasurably blessed with such a large, loving family and all that called her "Sugar", "Sister", "Doll" and "Ganny". In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her long-adorned husband, Robert Luther Williams, brothers, Dick, Bill, Jimmy and Johnny Griffin, as well as, her sister Fidelia Griffin Morgan. She was also predeceased by brothers-in-law Calvin Davenport, Tommy Morgan and Charles Ramsey, as well as one sister-in-law Jan Williams. But the first one she will be seeking when she arrives at Heaven's gate will be her grandson Dillion Luther Critcher.

In 1950, and with a special appreciation for a formal education, she departed "Need More" and Rocky Mount to attend UNC-Greensboro, where she graduated with honors at the top of her class. Shortly thereafter, she received a MBA from Wake Forest University. Ruth utilized her education and advanced degree to teach college business at Surry Community College and Appalachian State University before relinquishing to her entrepreneurial spirit.

As a local entrepreneur, she acquired two small business franchises, including Insty Prints® (previously located in downtown Boone) and The Peanut Shack® (previously located in the Boone Mall). As a successful business owner, she gave back to the community in so many ways. She was a strong supporter of Appalachian State University becoming one of the original YOSEF members. In addition, she also volunteered at the local nursing homes and had a special place in her heart for our veterans and the hungry.

Looking at Ruth's life, her values and her achievements, it should not go unsaid that her most incredible feat was demonstrated in the unwavering commitment (where the Doctrine of Responsibility from "Need More" was put to the test) and care she provided her husband for the last 15 years of his life as a quadriplegic resulting from an automobile accident in 1993. For 15 years she followed him around the southeast U.S. in multiple VA Hospitals to assure he received world class care. She made every visit special and touched the lives of so many nurses and veterans in the process. She lit up the institutions with her positive attitude and appreciative demeanor. She was forever grateful for America's most precious resource (Our Troops – Current & Past) and that was reflected in her behavior and the way she treated everyone in the VA. She once approached a disabled veteran who was in need of assistance, and after helping him with his wheel chair, said "thank you for your service", in which he replied, "mam, I never went to War". She replied quickly, "doesn't matter, you signed up to go if we needed you" and you are special just the same.

Today Ruth, with her many aliases (and like the VA Hospitals in the mid-ninety's) is missed by many.

May God Bless us all in this period of grief and give us the strength to carry her legacy forward.

Funeral services will be conducted at Hampton's Funeral Home in Boone NC at 11:00 o'clock on Monday, December 27, 2021. Reverend Gary Lundstrom will officiate.   Private Burial will follow in Pine Hall, North Carolina.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Presbyterian Church in Pine Hall, North Carolina.

Online condolences may be sent to the Williams family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.