Ruby (Gatton) Wasson

Mrs. Ruby Gatton Wasson, 88, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday evening, February 11, 2015, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born May 13, 1926 in Rowan County, she was the daughter of the late William G. Gatton, Sr. and Maggie Mae Ennis Gatton.  She was a graduate of Rowan County Schools and the H.F. Long Hospital School of Nursing.  She also did post graduate work at Poly Clinic in New York and Columbia University.  She served as a member of the Nurses Cadet Corp during WWII. Ruby was employed as a registered nurse at Long’s Hospital and by Dr. David Pressly of Statesville.  She was also the nurse at Uniglass Industries for a number of years. In June of 1953 she was married to Thomas A. Wasson of Statesville and they enjoyed 46 years of marriage before his death on April 21, 2000.  She was a loving wife and mother, devoted to her family. She was a dedicated member of Broad Street United Methodist Church, was a life member of the United Methodist Women, and served four years as a district trustee and as superintendent of the district staff/parish relations committee.  She donated untold hours to the work of the UMW, served on the Administrative Board and on the council of ministries.  She was a past president of the Christian Forum Sunday School Class and was a study group leader, and a nurse for church camps. Her volunteer activities extended beyond her church into the community.  She had been active in the Meals on Wheels, the Girl Scouts of America, the American Cancer Society, and with the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. In 1991 she was awarded the Iredell County Distinguished Citizen Award for her work on the Domiciliary Home Advisory Board.  She was acknowledged for her dedicated, loyal, and unselfish civic service as an advocate for the rest home patients in Iredell County. Ruby was one of seven children and in addition to her parents and husband, was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred E. Gatton and Robert L. Gatton, along with two sisters, Sarah E. Hudson and Mary E. Howard. She is survived by two daughters, Lou A. Wasson of Morganton, NC and Margaret Wasson and spouse, Mark Butler, of the Florida Keys, one brother, William G. Gatton, Jr. of Cleveland, NC, one sister, Peggy R. James of Rowan County.  A number of nieces and nephews and extended family also survives. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ruby Gatton Wasson will be conducted 1:00 PM Saturday, February 14, 2015, at Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Michael Gehring officiating.  The family will visit with friends following the services in the church memorial hall.  Burial will be in the Snow Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery on a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the H.F. Long Hospital Nursing Alumni Scholarship at Mitchell Community College, 500 West Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677 or to Broad Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 169, Statesville, NC 28687. Online condolences can be made to the family at nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ruby Gatton Wasson.