Martha Virginia Rufty Stikeleather, 87, of Harris Bridge Road, Stony Point, died Wednesday (July 1, 2009) at Autumn Care of Statesville, following a lengthy illness.Mrs. Stikeleather was born on May 7, 1922, in Stony Point to the late Joseph Washington Rufty and Lelia Elizabeth Bruce Rufty.
A graduate of Central High School, she was a life-long resident of Iredell County. She was a homemaker and devoted wife and mother to her family. She loved working in her garden and enjoyed the wildlife and birds which were abundant on the family farm.
On Aug. 9, 1941, she married William Mack “Chal” Stikeleather Jr., who preceded her in death. She was also predeceased by three brothers, Walter Edward Rufty, Albert Allen Rufty and Joseph “Judd” Bruce Rufty.
She is survived by one son, Dr. Jim Stikeleather and his wife, Melissa, of Chapel Hill; three daughters, Dare Stikeleather Ballard and her husband, Garry, of Mooresville; Anita Stikeleather Murdock and her husband, Dennis, of Mooresville; and Emily Stikeleather Baker and her husband, Bill, of Statesville; five grandchildren, Ben Stikeleather and his wife, Betsy, of Durham; Dennis Murdock Jr. of Stony Point; David Murdock and his wife, Melanie, of Charlotte; Katie Baker Collins and her husband, Parks, of Statesville; Liz Baker of Raleigh; and three great-grandchildren, Claudia and Carter Stikeleather of Durham, and Baker Collins of Statesville. She is also survived by one sister, Alma Rufty Millsaps of Stony Point.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday (July 6) at Concord Presbyterian Church in Loray, where Mrs. Stikeleather was a member of the Stikeleather-Stevenson Sunday School Class. Rev. Kyle Goodman will officiate, and burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m Monday in the church fellowship hall.
Pallbearers will be: Jackie Millsaps, Tony Wilson, Randy Dellinger, Grant Miller, Frank Setzer, and Paul Stikeleather.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Stikeleather-Stevenson Sunday School Class at Concord Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the building fund of Concord Presbyterian Church, 3867 Taylorsville Hwy., Statesville, NC 28625, or the Hospice & Pallative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Autumn Care and Hospice for the loving care provided to Mrs. Stikeleather during her illness.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the Stikeleather family by clicking the link below. Chapman Funeral Home is assisting the family of
Margaret W James.
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I'm very sorry for your loss & ours who took care of her each day. I know that I do. Not seeing her eyes watching us as we went by her door, our talks, smiles and of course her daughters. It was a great pleasure taking care of Miss Martha "I was a honored". I have a poem that I think would so Miss Martha " God saw I was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around me and said "Come with me". With tearful eyes you watched and saw me fade away. Although you loved me dearly, you could not make me stay. My heart has stopped beatin,g my hands have come to rest. God broke your hearts to show you, I needed eternal rest, and Miss Martha got to go home.
Love you all, Kathy Steele CNA - Conover, NC
Thinking of you all at this difficult time-
In the hardest things we do.. Love sees us through. No one truly comprehends the loss you feel, the sadness that you must be going through ... and yet warm thoughts are reaching out in hopes that you will know the strength and comfort of our blessed Savior "JESUS". I loved taking care of Mrs. Martha, talking, a smile, and most of all seeing those eyes wide open looking out her door as we walked Up & Down the hall we would yell "Hey Mrs. Martha eyes would get even bigger. I have a poem that reminds me of Mrs. Martha-------God saw I was getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around me and whispered "Come with me". With tearful eyes you watched me suffer and saw me fade away although you loved me dearly, you could not make me stay, my heart has stopped beating, my hands have come to rest------- God broke your hearts to show you, I need eternal rest. I'm so glad I had taken the time to get to know Mrs.Martha and daughters (Dare, Anita, and Emily). You girls will be blessed for everything you did. The video Tribute was great. God Bless & keep all of you always,
Love always, Kathy Steele CNA Autumn Care 400 East
Conover, NC
Our love and prayers on the passing of Aunt Martha...we are reminded of Jesus' words in John 14..."Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Uncle Chal and Aunt Martha always seemed to know this peace, now they have joined that great Stikeleather reunion in Heaven. God Bless. Sorry we cannot come to the funeral. Larry and Ruth Ann - Raleigh, NC
