Ruth Petty McCluney, 80 of Shelby, NC departed this life on Friday, February 3, 2023.

She was born August 8, 1942, to the late Samuel Petty, Sr., and the late Mamie Degree Petty of Shelby, NC. She attended Washington High School in Waco, NC and was a graduate from Washington High in 1960. She moved to Newark NJ with her husband in 1961, where she worked for the Newark Board of Education for 30 years. She loved children and gave up her time and service to make sure they had school supplies every year which became one of her passions. Her home was everybody’s home where they knew they would find love, peace, security, and food. She also worked for Mac Holland Security until 2008. While living in New Jersey, Ruth attended St. Luke Church of Christ, where she served as an usher and a choir member for many years. She and her husband then started to serve at Community House of Prayer, which is where she started her Children’s School Supply Ministry.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Sam Petty, Jr., James Petty, Jake Petty, David Petty and sisters, Cordelia Cannedy, Grace Sharpe, Margaret Ward, NovellaWebber, Helen Lattimore, Diane McCluney, and Cynthia McCluney.

She leaves to cherish her memories, a loving and dedicated husband of 62 years and 5 days, Dr. Holland McCluney of the home; sons, Lorenzo McCluney (Kelly) of Plainfield, NJ and Reginald McCluney of Shelby, NC; and daughter, Lawanda Griggs (Keith) of Newark, NJ.; a special niece who was like a daughter, Drucilla Fletcher of Frederick, MD; God Children, Bonita Jones, (Jamill) of Brandon, FL, Lydell James of Newark, NJ and Simone Dorsey of Louisville, MS. The children who really stole her heart were her 17 Grandchildren, 38 Great-Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren. She also loved and mothered a host of adopted children and extended family. Other survivors include a sister, Mamie Alice Petty of East Orange, NJ; God-Sister, Peggy James (Dave) of Brandon, FL; mother-in-law, Alice McCluney of Shelby, NC; sisters in-law, Susanne Richardson (Reece) of Louisburg, NC and Maxine Degree (Steve) of Shelby; brothers in-law, Joe McCluney (Faith) of Asheville, NC, Bishop Thomas McCluney (Margaret), Vice-Bishop, John McCluney, Jr., Earnest McCluney (Tropzie), Paul McCluney (Marilyn) and Donald McCluney, all of Shelby; a special caretaker who was so loving and kind, Vickie Edwards; 2 special nephews, Dwight Petty of Shelby, NC and Roger Petty of Louisville, KY and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Shoal Creek Baptist Church. The service will be livestreamed starting at 11:15 AM from Enloe Mortuary Facebook Page. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 11:30 AM and at other times at 2218 Elizabeth Avenue Shelby.