Category: 1950s

Hilton Lamar Ruth, Jr, better known as “Jack,” died June 3, 2026 at the age of 95. He was born November 19, 1930 in Rock Hill, SC, son of the late Hilton Lamar Ruth and Dorothy Meroney Ruth. Mr. Ruth graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1949, where he is a member of the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from Davidson College in 1953 where he was quarterback on the football team, President of the student body and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity. After graduation, he joined American Trust Company in Charlotte and was in banking for 42 years in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Lumberton, Concord, and Hendersonville. While in banking Jack served as Chairman of the Carolina School of Banking, President of the Young Bankers Division and President of the North Carolina Bankers Association. In Hendersonville, Mr. Ruth served as President of the United Way, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of Hendersonville Country Club and President of the UNCA Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Kate Jones Ruth, and his children: Dorothy Elizabeth “Libby” Ruth of Monroe, NC; HL “Trip” Ruth III of Concord, NC; and R David Ruth and wife, Eva, of Kings Mountain, NC. He is survived by six grandchildren: Carolyn, HL IV, and Will Ruth; Andrew (Claire) Ruth, Mary Kate (Jayson) Humphrey, and Maggie (Timmy) Clifton and affectionally known as “Pop” to eight great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Pines, Davidson, NC at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2026, followed by visitation and a reception celebrating Jack’s life. A graveside service will be on Sunday at 10:00 am at the Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, NC. Memorials may be made to The Residents Fund at The Pines, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036.

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Hugh Waddell Stephens was born March 13,1934 in Asheville, NC to George Myers and Eleanor Waddell Stephens. He passed away May 29, 2026, in Asheville, NC with his wife at his side.

Hugh grew up in Asheville, where he attended Asheville Country Day School, Christ School and The George School. He attended Davidson College and received a BA from Washington & Lee. After undergraduate studies Hugh Joined the U.S. Marine Corps and attended officer training school. He was stationed in Okinawa Japan in 1957-58, followed by reserve service for several years. After active duty, he attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his MA in Political Science (1959). He then attended Yale University where he earned his PhD in Political Science (1965).

Hugh and Clare had three children Jan (1957), Mark (1959), and Andrew (1964). Hugh’s career took the family to Chapel Hill, New Haven CT, and Silver Spring MD. His first teaching position was at Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1963. He took a position at the University of Houston two years later, where he taught for 38 years. He was Associate Dean when he retired. Hugh developed a specialty in Emergency Management and was often interviewed on the local news when there was a disaster. He wrote a scholarly analysis of the Texas City Disaster of 1947, which is still used in Emergency Management training today. At retirement, Hugh and Clare moved back to Asheville in 2001, building their house on the property he grew up on.

Hugh was a strong Christian and lifelong Episcopalian. After returning to Asheville, he and Clare joined Trinity Episcopal. Hugh loved a variety of music, choral, classical, folk music, bagpipes, and he was a member of the church choir for many years. Hugh’s priority was his family, whom he loved dearly. He attended countless school events, swim meets, soccer games, award ceremonies and loved to be engaged with his kids. He was determined that family had agreed on names to refer to each other. He wanted his “grandparent name” to be Hugh Dad, and Victoria quickly turned that into HooDad, which was adopted by the family for life. He loved the Blue Ridge mountains and took his family back “home” to North Carolina every summer. He enjoyed traveling, including almost every state in the US, many countries, and especially liked the Caribbean. He was dedicated to community service including volunteering regularly at the polls and serving as election judge. He was an avid student of the Civil War, U.S. history and international relations. He loved watching UH football, the Washington Redskins and the Boston Red Socks. In retirement he was a member and served as President of Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a third-generation member of The Pen and Plate Club for many years, and he enjoyed working out at the downtown YMCA. Hugh’s loving demeanor and developed intellect were complimented by a healthy sense of humor, expressed often in conversation, and by his laughing out loud watching The Muppet Show and The Benny Hill Show.

Hugh is survived by his wife Clare of over 70 years, children Jan (Craig) and Drew. His sister Eleanor Johnson, daughter-in-law Hannah Stephens. Grandchildren Victoria (Lincoln), Katherine, and Hugh (Stephanie). He had many nieces and nephews who he adored. He is preceded in death by George and Elenor Stephens, Janice Trotti Lyon, Frank Lyon and Clarence Trotti, brother George and wife Karin, David Johnson, John and Joan Trotti and son Mark W. Stephens.

Hugh was a warm, friendly person who found joy in his family and the many friends he made throughout his life. He was an intellectual and a lifelong learner, who loved a friendly debate. He touched many lives through family, teaching and his many activities. A reflection of Hugh is how he often ended a prayer “…and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others, Amen”.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St Asheville, NC 28803 on June 13, 2026, at 2:00PM EDT. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person via these links: https://www.trinityasheville.org/livestream-links OR Trinity Episcopal YouTube Page. A Reception in Trinity’s Tuton Hall will follow the service.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to organizations he held close; Trinity Episcopal Church Asheville, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Southern Poverty Law Center, or the American Diabetes Association.

Harold Perrin Anderson died at home on Monday, May 11, 2026, from a heart attack following a period of declining health.

Perrin was born on June 20, 1934, the son of Colonel Vernon T. Anderson and Kathleen Palmer Anderson.  In his early years the family lived in Lyman, SC, Fort Bragg, NC and New Haven, CT among other army bases.  In 1946, upon returning from Army life, the family happily settled in Union, SC.

Perrin graduated from Union High School in 1952.  He served as President of the Student Body and was a three-year starter on its basketball team.

He attended Davidson College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Cum Laude in 1956.  He served as President of the Student Body and, in later years, served on the school’s Board of Trustees.  After graduation, he moved to Charlotte where he lived for the rest of his life.  He loved Charlotte and often wondered, “Why would anyone want to live anywhere else?”

Perrin’s life was woven into the business, educational, civic, social, and religious fabric of the community.  He was the founder and President of Anderson & Anderson, Inc.  He was a founding member of the Bank of Mecklenburg, now PNC.  He served on the bank’s Board of Directors including a stint as the Chairman of the Board.

In 1974 Governor Jim Holshouser appointed Perrin to the NC Board of Transportation as a Highway Commissioner.  For his services, Governor Holshouser awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, NC’s highest citizen honor.  As Perrin appreciated Charlotte’s tree lined streets, he was instrumental in preserving many of the oak trees that line Wendover Road.  In recognition of his various community service roles, Mayor John Belk proclaimed June 20, 1974, “Perrin Anderson Day.”

Perrin served as Chairman of the Board of Charlotte Latin School.  He was on the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Hospital for twenty-two years and served as its Chairman for four of those years.  He served the Hospital on its Foundation Board and also served as President of the Charlotte City Club.  He was a long-time member of the Charlotte Country Club where he served on its Board of Governors as Treasurer of the Club.

He served on a number of other local boards, among them the Greater Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army, Planned Parenthood and Friends of Brookgreen Gardens near Pawley’s Island, SC.  He was a member of several other organizations, among these were the RODS Golf Group, Independence Investment Club, the Piedmont Club, the Ace of Clubs and the Thursday Club.

When he was in his mid-sixties, he started trading options securities which became his avocation for the rest of his life.  He loved the challenge and was still trading into his nineties.  He valued financial literacy, teaching his children and grandchildren about stocks, dividends and investing.

He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1958 where he served as an elder and held a number of positions of leadership.  On this past Mother’s Day, he was able to attend church and visit with all of his four children, a final blessing for him and his family. 

Most of all he loved his family, his beloved wife Betty, three sons, a daughter and their spouses along with his eight grandchildren.  He also loved his house on the ocean at Pawley’s Island, SC, where he spent many, many, weeks over the years at his favorite place on this earth.  There, he regaled his grandchildren with card tricks, ghost stories, jokes, and bingo games which never ended until everyone had a chance to win.  He loved mealtimes when the conversation would turn to trivia or questions he posed until his attention turned to whatever sporting event was on TV, saying, “Okay, this was fun, but I’ve got to go watch the game!”  Being a true patriot and proud South Carolina native, Perrin loved the Pawley’s Island annual 4^th of July Parade regardless of the heat and humidity.

He loved hosting family trips, taking the family to The Greenbrier, The Homestead, The Greystone Inn, Sea Island and The Red Rocks Ranch in Wyoming among other places.  He and Betty also enjoyed taking each grandchild to Washington, DC on patriotic tours of our nation’s capital.

His glass was always half full.  He never complained even when he successfully battled four different types of cancer and Parkinson’s disease in his later years.  His family admired his discipline and determination. He was enthusiastic about exercise long before exercise “was popular.”  A lifetime achiever, he wasted little time looking for the next opportunity after reaching his latest goal.

Perrin’s lifelong enthusiasm for participating in and enjoying sports was contagious, from the Union High School Yellowjackets, the Davidson Wildcats, the Atlanta Braves, to the excitement of supporting the Hornets and the Panthers.

Perrin was predeceased by his dear brother and business partner, Vernon T. Anderson, Jr, with whom he enjoyed a special, particularly close bond.  He is survived by his wife Betty, whom he met at a Queen’s College-Davidson College Orientation Dance in 1954.  After 69 years of marriage, Perrin often noted that marrying her was “the best decision he ever made.”  He is survived by his four children, Andy (Patti), Kelvin (Tammy), John (Pam) and Fiz (David) and eight terrific grandchildren that he loved dearly: Kyle, Ian (Akeem), Grayce, Elly, Mac, Perrin, Mary Oliver and JT. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law Gloria Anderson, along with three nieces and two nephews.

So many doctors, nurses and caregivers helped Perrin optimistically navigate various health challenges over the years.  The family will always be grateful for the good care from Dr. Lillian Teigland, Dr. Hayes Woollen, Dr. Jim Boyd, Dr. Justin Fevaro, Dr. Sanjay Iyer and especially Dr. Rosanna Silva, along with each nurse at Novant Hallmark and the Novant Infusion Center.  His recent caregivers, Jim Lawton and Lee Whittaker, became beloved and loyal members of the Anderson family and deserve our most humble thanks.

A service of celebration will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Carson Fellowship Hall. The service will be livestreamed through the church website at www.trinitypreschurch.org. Look under Watch Worship for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Perrin’s memory may be made to Davidson College, 405 N. Main St., Davidson, NC 28035; The Novant Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation, 220 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte, NC 28204; Charlotte Latin School, 9502 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28277; or Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211.

Jim Speed of Marietta, Georgia died peacefully on April 26, 2026. He was born to James Ormond Speed Sr. and Mary Hoover Speed in Mobile, Alabama and was raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a graduate of Davidson College (1953) and Columbia Theological Seminary (1957) and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1957. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1984.

While Jim was serving in his first call as Assistant Minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama, he met Flora McDonald at a church Bible study. They were married on August 2, 1958 and committed their lives to loving service together. Jim served as Pastor in Alexander City, Alabama before moving to Richmond, Virginia to work on the National Board of Christian Education for the Presbyterian Church. During the turbulence of the 1960’s, Jim accepted a call to serve as Pastor at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in his hometown of Birmingham (1964-1972). In his final pastoral call, he served as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia from 1972 until his retirement on January 15, 1999.

As a pastor, Jim lived out his commitment to Christ and to sharing the good news of God’s love in all that he said and did. He humbly counted it a privilege in 41 years of ministry to keep an account of 552 marriages, 495 funerals, 1,190 baptisms, and 1,740 sermons. He also led many of his church members on spiritual pilgrimages to sites of significance to the Christian faith.

He wrote to the Marietta congregation at the end of his ministry: “In ways beyond counting, standing in your pulpit Sunday after Sunday, being with most of you in times of sickness and trouble, helping you celebrate the happy events and simply being allowed to love you and receive your love has been my joy for all these years.”

Jim’s service extended into the greater community of Cobb County and beyond. He served on the Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary, WellStar Kennestone Hospital, and Presbyterian College. He was a long-time member of the Marietta Rotary Club and served a term as President. He served on various other boards in the Marietta community and held numerous positions of responsibility for his presbyteries and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), including significant service on the Tri-Presbytery New Church Development Commission. He encouraged First Presbyterian to host many years of Christmas International House (for international students). He participated in A Christian Ministry in the National Parks during his seminary days and served on its board for decades. He and Flora enjoyed two summer pulpit exchanges with the Rev. Bill Buchan of Kilwinning Abbey Church in Ayrshire, Scotland. Jim was a proud Eagle Scout and supported scouting throughout his life, including several 10-day Philmont Scout Ranch hikes with young Scouts and Explorers of Troop 252.

After retirement, Jim’s pastoral sensibilities continued. He served on the development staff of Columbia Theological Seminary, preached frequently, helped charter a new congregation in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and eventually returned to First Presbyterian Church to sing with the Chancel Choir.

Most importantly, Jim lived a life full of constant love for his wife, Flora, and for his four children. He was steady and steadfast, quick with a hug or the offer of counsel. He eagerly planned family vacations, packed and drove station wagons all over the country, and made up silly stories to tell around the campfire. In later years, he enjoyed traveling and gardening with Flora, reading, and assembling jigsaw puzzles. He gave patient and practical help to his children with home projects and party preparations and delighted in keeping up with his six grandchildren. It has been our great joy to love him and receive his love for all these years.

Jim is survived by his children Beth Kindred (Doug), Mary Langford (David), Sarah McTyre (Andrew), and Todd Speed (Melanie); his grandchildren Bill Langford (Bayli), Hall Speed, John Speed, Mac Speed, Mary Kindred, and Luke Speed; his great grandchildren Declan and Brooks Langford; and his brother-in-law, Jim McDonald (Robin) and his children James McDonald (Whitney) and Frances Reynolds (John) and their families.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia on Friday, May 1, at 2pm with a time for visitation following the service.

In lieu of flowers, you may send memorial gifts to First Presbyterian Church, 189 Church St #1629, Marietta, GA 30060, for either the “James O. Speed and Flora M. Speed Legacy Fund for Seminarians” or the general memorial fund of First Presbyterian Church.