Ruth Bernice (Benfield) Hope

Mrs. Ruth Bernice Benfield Hope, 83, of Statesville, died Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Gordon Hospice House. Born in Rowan County on May 12, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Garland Eugene Benfield and Mamie Ella Hartness Benfield. She was a member of Rocky Hill Baptist Church. Ruth was a homemaker most of her life and enjoyed travel, playing cards, the mountains and the beach. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Lee Hope, Sr. on May 4, 2012. They were married on September 12, 1946. She was also preceded in death by three grandsons, Terry Andrew Hope, Jr., Jonathan Mark Mesiemore, and Wesley Mesiemore along with a sister and two brothers. Survivors include her children: Johnny Lee Hope, Jr. (Brenda) of Statesville, Judith Hope Riggs (Monroe) of Cleveland, N.C., Norman Wayne Hope (Terry) , Terry Andrew Hope, Sr. (Edna Roberts) and Reggie Eugene Hope, all of Statesville and Danny Eric Hope (Jean) of Georgia.  Also surviving are grandchildren: Scott Hope, Jason Hope (Andrea), Beth Hope, Marla Johnson(Bryan), Monica Monk (Tom), Christy Hope Robinson, Amanda Hope and Umiko Hewitt, 19 great grandchildren and a number of great great grandchildren along with a number of nieces and nephews, along with her former daughter-in-law, Kimoko Hope. Services celebrating Ruth’s life will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Rocky Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Henry Cook, Rev. Larry Holleman and Rev. Lee Boggs officiating.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be: Scott Hope, Jason Hope, Dillon Bowes, Bryan Johnson, Tom Monk and Gaje Monk. Jim Wooten will serve as an Honorary Pallbearer. The family will be assembled at the residence and will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday (today) at Nicholson Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com . Memorials may be given to the church or charity of the donor’s choice. Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.