Ruthanna James Reece

Mrs. Ruthanna James Reece, 84, of Asheboro, NC, died Monday, January 7, 2013, at Randolph Hospital after a lingering illness. A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 am Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Back Creek Friends Meeting with her son, Pastor Jon Reece and her husband, Pastor Joe Reece officiating. Burial will follow in the meeting cemetery. A native of Henry County, IN, Mrs. Reece was born February 13, 1928. She was the daughter of the late Robert Clark James and Martha Cecile Edwards James, of Greensboro, IN. Ruthanna's greatest desire was to serve the Lord as a pastor's wife to her husband Joe in their 62 years of ministry in the Friends (Quaker) Churches in Indiana, Ohio, California, Tennessee, and North Carolina. She was gracious to all she met, loved them, and made them feel like family. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Louise James Wampler, Pauline Roberta James Dimett, Barbara Carol James Tait, Joyce Cecile James Long; and brother, Charles Lyndon James. Mrs. Reece is survived by her husband of 66 years, Joseph William Reece, of the home; son, Jon Alan Reece (Dee), of Asheboro, NC; daughters, Rebecca Anne Gregson (Clayton), of Lake Waccamaw, NC, Carolyn Lee Hill (David), of Friendsville, TN, Martha Jayne Coleman (Rick), of Siler City, NC; grandchildren, Carrie Lynn Baker (Dan), Joseph Alan Reece (Melanie), Katie Cecile Beeler (Travis), Lindsay Marie Hill; great grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Baker, Abigail Grace Baker, Ruthie Alyn Reece, Caroline Nicole Reece, Eleanor Joyce Reece, and James Lindley Reece. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Back Creek Friends Meeting and other times at the home of Jon and Dee Reece. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.