Ruby Lee Hoke

Mrs. Ruby Lee Burrell Hoke, 83, of Statesville, entered the Gates of Heaven on Monday, February 6, 2017. Mrs. Hoke was born in Iredell County on July 20, 1933, and was the daughter of the late Julius J. Burrell and Ethel E. Burnett Burrell. She was a graduate of Balls Creek High School. She married Thomas "Tom" Edward Hoke and together they shared 58 years of marriage until his death on July 11, 2010. She was retired from Hill Haven Assisted Living where she served as the activities director. Mrs. Hoke was a life-long member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church. She was very strong in her faith and loved her Lord which led to her being very active in the church. She was also affiliated with the Girl Scouts of America for many years. She was a woman who loved the outdoors especially bird watching. She also enjoyed traveling, cooking, and spending time with her grandsons. Most of all, she loved her family. She was a very special mother, grandmother and friend. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Randy Thomas Hoke, four brothers, Calvin, Haskell, David, and Olus Burrell along with three sisters, Hazel Deal, Ethel Bumgarner, and Melba Freeman. Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters, Sharon Hoke Jones of Bellingham, WA, Melissa Hoke-Kearns (John) of Quilcene, WA, and Anita Hoke-Waff (Eric) of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by four grandsons, Alexander P.T. Jones and Brandon P.M. Jones, both of Bellingham, WA, and Christian M. Day and Nolan T. Day, both of Wilmington, NC and two step-grandchildren, Hunter Waff of Wilmington, NC and Alexa Waff of Raleigh along with a large extended family. Funeral services for Mrs. Hoke will be conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday, February 9, 2017, at Diamond Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Holleman officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. There will be a visitation Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Diamond Hill Baptist Church. The family would like to thank the Gordon Hospice House for the care given to their mother during this most difficult time. Also, a special thank you to Leigh Ann Darty for her time and compassion to the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ruby Hoke.