Ruth Elaine Rhodes Proctor

Ruth Elaine Rhodes Proctor, 91, died April 1, 2022, at her home in Raleigh. Born April 28, 1930 to Ruth and Harry Rhodes, Ruth grew up on a family farm in Holidaysburg, Penn. One of three siblings, Ruth decided at an early age that farm life would not be for her, instead leaving upon graduating from Holidaysburg High School to attend nursing school at Garfield Nursing School in Washington, DC.

It was while Ruth was in Washington that she met her husband, the late Randall Wesley Proctor, Sr. on a blind date. Their affection for each other was instant, Ruth knew on that very first date that he would be her husband. And they married February 15, 1953 in Washington. As a young professional Randall set out ambitious goals, including becoming Chief of Agency Operations at the Equitable Life Assurance Society. Ruth was his partner every step of the way. As Randy’s career continued to excel, he and Ruth travelled the world extensively both for business and exploration.

Ruth was a proud cook who served decades of Sunday night suppers and holiday dinners. She was an avid golfer who, along with her best friends, were fearless patrons of the Bogie Busters Den at the Carolina Country Club. Ruth poured through romance novels and, until the storm of infirmity came upon her, completed the daily Sudoku, crossword, and Cryptoquote with perfection and ease.

Her family was the heartbeat and focal point of her life. Throughout her home, years of family memories and milestones stood on display, and her home was always open for visits from family and friends. In her later years Ruth was overjoyed at the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. Adding four great granddaughters only expanded her joy. By great fortune, Ruth saw all her great grandchildren shortly before her death.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Harry Rhodes, and a brother, Dean Rhodes. Her husband of 67 years, Randall Proctor, Sr. and her beloved daughter, Catherine Ruth Proctor, who died tragically in a car accident in 1974 at the age of 16, also precede her in death.

Ruth is survived by two sons, Randall Wesley Proctor, Jr. and wife, Jessica Kozma Proctor of New Bern and Richard Eugene Proctor and wife Sarah Culberson Proctor of Raleigh. Five grandchildren survive her: Juliana Proctor (Ben) of Asheville; Emily Proctor Franc (Peter) of Portland, Oregon; Dr. Rhodes Proctor Short (Travis) of Charleston, SC; Randall Wesley Proctor, III of Houston, Texas; Catherine Grace Proctor of New Bern; and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Dale Rhodes of Philipsburg, Penn.

A visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday, April 7 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC 27605.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, April 8 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2817 Overbrook Drive, Raleigh, NC 27608.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to the Catherine Ruth Proctor Scholarship at Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, or to a charity of one’s choice.