Community Mourns Ruth Turner Greenway, Loving Nurse and Matriarch

Ruth Turner Greenway, a cherished member of the Green Creek community in North Carolina, passed away on October 12, 2025, at the Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, South Carolina. She was 91 years old and was known for her unwavering dedication to family and her profession.

Born on May 10, 1934, in Polk County, North Carolina, Ruth was the eighth of thirteen children in the Turner family, which included her siblings Albert, John, James, Juanita, Eunice, Margaret, Terrell, Shirley, Clyde, Peggy, Larry, and Barbara. She was preceded in death by her parents, Grayson Andrew and Minnie Williams Turner, eleven siblings, and her beloved grandson, Matthew Greenway.

Ruth is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas Sidney Greenway, Jr., with whom she shared 74 years of marriage, and her sister, Barbara Turner Davidson, alongside her husband, Maurice. Throughout her life, Ruth exemplified the roles of a dedicated wife, mother, sister, and friend.

A Legacy of Care and Dedication

Professionally, Ruth made a significant impact as an operating room nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina. Her skill and compassion not only shaped the lives of her patients but also left an enduring legacy within the healthcare community. Ruth’s commitment to caring extended into her family life.

She was a proud mother to five children: Brad Greenway (Melanie), Randy Greenway, Marc Greenway (Andrea), Tracie Morris (Jeff), and AFS daughter, Penrat Panrob. Ruth also took great pride in her role as a grandmother to eight grandchildren: Jason Greenway (Jennie), Amanda Bender (Jesse), Matthew Greenway, Vivian Lentchitsky (Rob), Nicholas Greenway (Amanda), Ryan Greenway (Vanessa), Jonathan Greenway (Kerri), and Tomas Morris, as well as eight great-grandchildren.

Ruth’s passions included cooking, crocheting, and reading. She found immense joy in her family and was known for her quiet strength and grace. For over seven decades, she was an active member of the Mill Creek Church of the Brethren, where she served as financial secretary until her passing.

Community Tributes and Final Arrangements

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to Mae Hawkins and Nathan Stott for their assistance and care during Ruth’s final days. In lieu of flowers, they encourage donations to be made in her memory to The Meeting Place (Meals on Wheels), located at 75 Carmel Lane, Columbus, NC.

A visitation will take place on October 23, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at McFarland Funeral Home in Tryon, North Carolina. This will be followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM, officiated by Reverends David Shumate, Noel Naff, and Laura Hamilton. Burial will follow at the Mill Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, located at 1401 Coxe Road, Tryon, NC.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com, where friends and family can share their memories and condolences. Ruth Turner Greenway’s legacy of love and care will be remembered by all who knew her.