May 7, 2025, 91, Goldsboro —
In the early morning of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Mrs. Ruth Waters Whitfield departed from our midst and was received in the presence of the Lord. Her passing came as she was loved and cared for at Spring Arbor of Kinston.
Mrs. Whitfield was a native of Duplin County’s White Flash community, being one of the daughters of the late Leslie and Donnie Grady Waters. She graduated from the B. F. Grady High School. Married to Joseph L. “Jay” Whitfield, a service man, she traveled the world with him as his assignments led them to various points. After his retirement, the couple settled in his native community, the Rones Chapel community, just outside of Mount Olive.
She was a member of Long Ridge Free Will Baptist Church where the congregation loved her, and of course, she loved them in return. She had worked at duPont Company for a few years, and also at Mount Olive Sportswear, but her main goal in life was to provide love and happiness for her family as she was a consumate homemaker, a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Mrs. Whitfield leaves behind her three children, Kim Whitfield of Winterville, Toni Edwards of Grimesland, and John Whitfield and wife, Valerie, of Jamestown, NC; a sister, Ava Gray Price of the White Flash commuinity, Mount Olive; five grandchildren, Garland Edwards and wife, Ashley, Cody Whitfield, Trey Whitfield and wife, Tristin, Kayley Whitfield, and Ashley Ziemer; great-grandchildren, Kyndall Edwards, Cheyanne Edwards, Bryce Edwards, Caysen Edwards, and Audrey Rose Whitfield; along with several nieces and nephews; and her church family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph L. “Jay” Whitfield; parents, Leslie and Donnie Grady Waters; brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Dorothy Waters; and brother-in-law, L. L. “Bud” Price, Jr..
The Whitfield famliy will be receiving friends at Tyndall Funeral Home on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be her pastor, the Rev. Kelvin Coates. A private burial will complete the service.
Flowers are welcome, or memorial gifts are suggested to be made to Long Ridge Church, c/o Mike Davis, 182 Jeff Outlaw Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365.
A special note of acknowledgement is extended to the fine staff of Spring Arbor of Kinston who provided Mrs. Whitfield love, compassion, and care, and a home away from home. They also appreciate the exemplary service of Gentiva Hospice as they brought comfort and peace to her in her waning days.
