Ruth Manus Morton

On Thursday, January 30, 2020 Ruth Mae Manus Morton passed away at the age of 77. Ruth was born on May 14,1942 in Union County, North Carolina to Thomas Ervin and Willie Faire Gordon Manus. Writing Ruth’s obituary has been a very difficult task because she was an obituary expert. For 25 years, she extensively researched and studied family genealogies as a hobby. If someone passed away in the past 100 years within 30 miles of Union County with a last name of Gordon, Sneed, Morton, or Manus, there is a very good chance Ruth has a copy of the obituary. Ruth had a stubborn streak. Although this may have frustrated her friends and family at times, that stubborn streak was there when doctors told her that because of a heart condition she would not live past 18. She lived to be 77. That stubborn streak was there when she took what was considered a “man’s job” at Scott Aviation and Tool Service in Monroe. She worked there for over 40 years. That stubborn streak was there in 2011 when she survived a major head injury. Unable to even lift her foot, Ruth set a goal that some day she would walk one and a half miles again. Thanks to her stubborn streak, she did. Ruth lived fully and never stopped learning. She had many hobbies like studying genealogy and basket weaving. She loved to work in her garden with her long time friend and later husband, Leroy Morton. They grew their garden and either canned the harvest or shared with with friends and family. Ruth was kind. She could walk into a room with her contagious smile, make a new friend, have them share their life story, and find out how she was distantly related to them all within ten minutes. Since her passing, people have shared just how kind Ruth was to them. From the workers at her favorite thrift store to the mailman she made lunch for every week, her kindness was far reaching. Ruth loved well. Those lucky enough to be loved by her knew her love was loud. Every time they stopped by to see her the screen door would fling open, she would say, “Hey Baby! I’m so happy to see you,” and wrap them up into a full body hug. She also loved in the quiet ways. Sometimes her love looked like the gum she kept in a certain drawer just for you, the cheerwines she always had when you visited, the five dollars she slipped you so you could get some lunch, or the “black label” bacon she used in your breakfast because her babies deserved the best. In both the loud ways and quiet ways, Ruth made those she loved feel like the center of the universe when they were with her. I had the privilege of being loved by Ruth Manus, or as I called her Aunt Ruthie. This week, I sat in her yard and looked around. Aunt Ruthie’s flowers are just starting to bloom as spring starts to arrive. Even though she’s gone, all throughout her yard I could see the evidence of her years of love and care. The beauty of her love was all around me, and that’s just how it has felt since she has passed. She may be gone, but the evidence of her love is still all around. I’m sure if Aunt Ruthie were reading this obituary, she would like the heart felt sentiments but she would want me to get to the good information. For all the future genealogist like her, Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Morton. She is survived by siblings: Elsie Williams, Reverend Billy Manus, in-laws: Johnny Morton, Allen Morton, Jean Griffin, Tiny Laton, Clara Season, and Judy Price, step sons: Bobby Morton and Tim Morton, and many nieces and nephews who are still arguing over who was her favorite. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, February 3, 2020 in Gordon Funeral Chapel, with burial to follow in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112. Memorials may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, 4013 New Town Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory is caring for the family.