Ruth Barlowe Williams

Ruth Barlowe Williams, 80, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, June 05, 2022.

She was born January 01, 1942 in Marion. She was a daughter of the late Ercel Lee Barlowe and Pearl Day Barlowe Chapman. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Tom Barlowe.

She graduated summa cum laude from Mars Hill College with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Business Administration) and received a Master of Public Affairs Degree from Western Carolina University. She also received an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Accounting from McDowell Technical Community College.

She served as the Clerk of Superior Court for McDowell County from September 04, 1973 until her retirement on December 01, 1998. Prior to serving as the Clerk of Superior Court, she had served in the office as a Deputy Clerk and Assistant Clerk and served in the office for a total of 32 years.

She was the first woman to serve as Clerk of Superior Court for McDowell County and was the first Clerk of Superior Court from McDowell County to serve as president of the statewide Association of Clerks of Superior Court.

She enjoyed genealogy research and computer technology. She was a member of Pi Gamma Mu (International Honor Society in Social Sciences), and was a member of First Christian Church in Marion.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Williams; four sons, Chris Williams (Tanya), Darby Williams, Cliff Williams (Susan), and Craig Williams; six grandchildren, Chrissy, Nikki, Alix, Jacob, Gabrielle, and Lily; ten great grandchildren; three siblings, Beth Hunter (Les), Michael Barlowe (Paul), and Jim Carlson (Sarah Gorter); and a sister-in-law, Diane Barlowe.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 09, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service with Rev. Don Mitchell officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. A private ceremony will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/givehope.