Ruby Mercer Williams Thorpe

Ruby Mercer Williams Thorpe, age 88, passed away peacefully at Pittsboro Christian Village on November 28, 2023 and is now at home in Heaven. 

Born in Wilson County, Ruby was the daughter of the late Thomas Byard Mercer and Iva Worrell Mercer.  She was a member of the 1953 graduating class of Rock Ridge High School.  A few years later, she married Julius Williams and they relocated to Durham, NC, eventually establishing their home in Wellons Village, where they raised their two sons.  Ruby was a stay home mom until the death of her first husband, Julius.  Twelve years later, she met and married her second husband, Sam Thorpe; which led to her retiring from Royal Home Fashions in Durham.  Ruby was a devoted Christian and served the Lord for many years at the Gospel Center and Grove Park Chapel.  After 50 plus years of living in Durham, Ruby and her late husband, Sam, became residents of Pittsboro Christian Village in Pittsboro, NC; where they both continued to serve the Lord until their deaths.

Ruby will be remembered for her love for the Lord, faithfulness to her church, a servant to others, her love of family and her love of flowers.  She leaves behind a wonderful legacy and was a great example to all who knew her as someone who truly lived life in service to God and others.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Julius Williams; second husband, Samuel Thorpe, Sr.; sisters, Isadore Baker and Helen Ruth Page; brothers, William Mercer and Roney Mercer; and a very special friend, Samuel Taylor.  She is survived by three sisters, Louise Roberts, Faye Tew and Linda Lamm (Buck); her sons, Larry Williams (Shawna) and Allan Williams (Darlene); “adopted” son, Lee Gardner (Cindi); granddaughter, Kendall Sukopp (Alex) and grandson, Logan Williams (Adriane); step grandson, John Ricker (Julia); step granddaughter, Katie Kaufman; step great grandson, Moses Alexander; step son, Samuel Thorpe, Jr. (Barbara), step daughter Marilyn Olson (Fred); and many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren in the Thorpe Family.

Ruby Williams Thorpe will be laid to rest in a private family graveside service at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, NC.  A memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Bible Baptist Church, 2047 Gate Two Rd, Creedmoor, NC 27522.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 - 2:15 pm.  The service will be officiated by Senior Pastor Jimmy Hall of Bible Baptist Church and Senior Pastor Dale Brooks of Grove Park Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made in Memory of Ruby Thorpe to Pittsboro Christian Village, 1825 East St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or Liberty Hospice Home Care & Hospice Services, 401 E 3^rd St, Siler City, NC 27344.