Birth Date: 08/30/1925
Deceased Date: 11/11/2021
Ruth Ola Pegram Daniel, age 96, of Smithfield, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021. She is now whole again in the arms of her Jesus!
Ruth was born August 30, 1925, to Daisy Ola Harley Pegram and Ralph Hubert Pegram in Winston-Salem, NC. She was the faithful and dedicated wife of Dr. Thomas Manning Daniel for 46 years until his death in 1999 at age 78.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Dr. Thomas Manning Daniel; her parents; her sister Margaret Weleska Pegram Morrison; and her brother, Ralph Harley Pegram, Sr.
Surviving are her four daughters: Beth Daniel of Smithfield; Margaret Daniel Gafford (Mike) of Altavista, VA; Linda Daniel (Barb Coles) of Middlesex, NC; and Jane Daniel Allen (Ken) of Smithfield; her five grandchildren: Jennifer Templeton (Patrick) of Smithfield; Allison Gafford of Myrtle Beach, SC; Stephanie Gafford Lee of Myrtle Beach, SC; Thomas Allen of Smithfield; and Timothy Allen of Smithfield; and her four great-grandchildren: Ruth, Joshua, and Daisy Templeton; and Lillian Lee; as well as her brother, Hubert Ray Pegram (Lillian) of Winston-Salem, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
We would like to express our love and gratitude to Jane Adams and Rhonda Deans and their staff, for taking such amazing tender care of Ruth throughout this last season of her life. Also we express our appreciation to 3HC and their staff for their service and care.
Ruth attended public school and graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC. She received an Associate of Science degree from Louisburg College and then entered the US Cadet Nurse Corps to be trained to serve in WWII. The war ended before she graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She served as a registered nurse at Duke University Medical Center, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, and in her husband’s Pediatric office in Smithfield.
When her children were born, she stepped back from her nursing career to raise her family. But she continued to use her training as an emergency substitute at her husband’s practice if needed, as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, as a Girl Scout camp nurse, and as the primary caregiver for her aging mother and mother-in-law.
Ruth was very involved in her church, First Presbyterian Church of Smithfield, as well as the Johnston County community, until her stroke in 2006.
At First Presbyterian, she served as a Sunday School teacher for younger children, Vacation Bible School teacher, Ruling Elder, Deacon, and various offices in the Women of the Church who awarded her an Honorary Life Membership.
Ruth was very involved with Girl Scouts in North Carolina. She led troops for her daughters as well as many Johnston County girls. She served as Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council’s Association Chairman and Service Team Chairman. She served as Camp Mary Atkinson Day Camp Director, Camp Nurse, and Camporee Director. Ruth was “Mrs. Girl Scout” and a “Hidden Hero” according to Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council.
The Mental Health Association in Johnston County also benefitted from her many years of service. She served on the Board of Directors and ran the Operation Santa Claus Program for many years. She was awarded a Lifetime Membership of the Johnston County Mental Health Association. The State of North Carolina honored her on several occasions for her dedication and service to the Mental Health Association of Johnston County. Ruth received the “Special Person Award” from the Mental Health Association of Johnston County; and the “Operation Santa Claus Award” and the “Clara Simon Award” from the Mental Health Association of North Carolina.
Ruth was very involved in volunteer activities of Smithfield-area schools. She was very often a regular volunteer in her daughters’ classrooms. She received the “Untiring Services and Support Award” from Smithfield-Selma High School’s Band Backers Association. She was recognized for her service and support of schools by the Johnston County Board of Education.
The North Carolina Medical Society Auxiliary awarded her “The 30 Year Award” for her years of dedication and service. Ruth served for many years on the Johnston County Blood Program Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Ruth worked as a volunteer for the Triangle J Council of Governments Ombudsman Program, making visits to nursing facilities and long-term care facilities to ensure the safety and care of the residents. She received multiple certificates of appreciation from the Johnston County Nursing/Adult Care Home Advisory Committee for “Dedication and Commitment to the Long-Term Care Residents of Johnston County”. She served on the Johnston County Nursing Home Advisory Committee and Domiciliary Home Advisory Committee. She was Secretary for several years and served as Chairman of the Committee.
Ruth was proud of the schools she attended. She and her husband were ardent supporters of Louisburg College and Duke University.
She was recognized by Johnston-Lee Community Action with the Certificate of Appreciation for Voluntary Service to Federal Food Distribution Program. She delivered Meals on Wheels. She served as Vice President of United Way of Johnston County. She received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Johnston Association of Volunteer Administration for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Ruth received the Governor’s Award for Individual Service and Dedication in Johnston County.
However, most of all, Ruth was a wife to her husband, a mother to her daughters, and Mema to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They all remember her for her wonderful bedtime songs! She was the unwavering and selfless caregiver. Many children from the South Smithfield area and First Presbyterian Church thought of her as a second mother, as well as all the Girl Scouts that she led throughout the years. She cared for both her mother and mother-in-law in her home during their final years. She was a wonderful cook! Not fancy gourmet meals, but memorable and filling family meals. Many of her dishes are still family favorites of her children and grandchildren!
Ruth knitted an afghan for each of her daughters and grandchildren, plus a few others – that’s over 1,300,000 stitches! Knitting was a hobby she took up to keep her hands busy while waiting in waiting rooms, beside hospital beds, under the hair dryer in Bernice’s Beauty Parlor, and as a passenger in the car. For many years, she was the housemother for annual family beach trips to Wrightsville Beach, NC. While the rest of us were on vacation, she continued to keep up with the children, keep the cottage clean, and prepare balanced delicious meals for her own family plus all the nieces and nephews and other extended family who were invited to join in. She lived her faith and proved that love is a verb!
Visitation with the family will be Friday, November 19, from 7 pm to 9 pm at First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield, NC and at other times the family will be receiving visitors at Ruth’s granddaughter’s house in Smithfield. Please contact 919-630-3654 for more information.
Masks and social distancing are required.
The Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 20, at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield, NC. Masks and social distancing are required. Family will receive guests outside following the service, weather permitting.
A Private Graveside Service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood at a local blood drive, donating to First Presbyterian Church of Smithfield, or to the Mental Health organization of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
