Ruth Hooker Matthews, 97, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Brookdale Senior Living.

A funeral service to honor Ruth’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 6th at First Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Patrick Whaley. Interment will follow at Bayview Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior in the Church Atrium.

Ruth was born on April 28, 1929, in Kinston, North Carolina, to the late Henry and Ruth Hooker.

A beautiful woman of deep and unwavering faith, Ruth was a devoted member of First Methodist Church beginning in 1950. She faithfully served as the church's Director of Education and dedicated countless hours to nurturing the faith of others. For many years, she taught the Jackie Eure Sunday School Class and was actively involved in the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) as well as numerous other church ministries and activities. Her servant's heart and steadfast commitment to her church family touched the lives of many.

Ruth found great joy in tending to her flowers and working in her yard, creating beauty wherever she lived. She embraced an active lifestyle, enjoying tennis, long walks, and spending time outdoors. In her younger years, she was an accomplished horseback rider and proudly competed as a member of the Greensboro College riding team.

Above all, Ruth treasured her family. She found her greatest joy in being a loving wife and devoted mother, caring for those she loved with grace, kindness, and selfless devotion. Her gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and loving heart will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughter, Anne-Marie Atkinson and husband Phillip Barry of Emerald Isle, NC; son, Weldon C. “Don” Matthews, III and wife Marshia Zuziak of The Villages, FL; grandchildren, Phillip Barry Atkinson, Jr. and wife Sarina, and Meredith Anne Atkinson; and great-grandchildren, Cooper Edmund Atkinson and Cecelia Ruth Atkinson.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Weldon “Buck” Cooper Matthews, Jr. and brother, Henry Albert Hooker Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF, P.O. Box 5042 Hagerstown, MD 21741, to help end Juvenile Diabetes.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.