EFFIE RUTH MAXWELL PIKE
May 20, 1925-March 10, 2014
Effie Ruth Maxwell Pike died Monday, March 10, 2014. She passed in peace surrounded by her beloved family and friends.
Effie Ruth was born in Goldsboro, N.C., May 20, 1925, the first of two children born to Ruth Herring Maxwell and James Louis Maxwell.
Effie Ruth graduated from Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she was the editor of the school newspaper.
She worked for a short while in New York City before returning to Goldsboro to marry the love of her life, J.D. Pike Jr., June 5, 1947.
The absolute entirety of Effie Ruth's life was spent devoted to, and focused on, her family, her church and her friends, of which there were too numerous to mention.
When she and J.D. weren't participating in school, Boy or Girl Scouts or church functions, they were blessed to have spent many wonderful times traveling with friends and especially ski trips out west.
In the mid 1970s, they built a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, and that truly became a second home. Effie Ruth and J.D. quickly made a whole new group of friends up at Pike's Peek and, until just a few months ago, were able to spend many memorable days enjoying their time there.
Especially dear to Effie Ruth's heart were Easter services on the mountain with any and all who would come.
Meanwhile, back in Goldsboro, in the Pike family, if you weren't at St. Paul Church on Sunday morning, you'd better have been out of town or sick in bed.
In addition to being on many committees and spending countless hours at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Effie Ruth also volunteered with the Salvation Army and Boys and Girl Scouts, and enjoyed the garden club, bridge club and the "Go To" travel club.
Effie Ruth is survived by her loving husband of almost 67 years, James David Pike Jr.
She is also survived by her children, James David Pike III and wife, Christine, John Maxwell Pike and wife, Diana, Wesley Matthew Pike and wife, Donna, and Nancy Ruth Wilson Pike and husband, Dr. Ross Wilson, all of Goldsboro.
Also surviving is son, Charles Louis Pike and wife, Sally, of Topsail Island, N.C.
Grandchildren surviving Effie Ruth and continuing to spoil J.D. are, Crystal Pike Malpass and husband, Carl, and Jamie Pike Kelly and husband, Alan, all of Raleigh, N.C., Laura Pike Deprill and husband, Mike, of Charleston, S.C., Dr. Maxwell Pike and fianceé, Jennifer Johnson, of Kansas City, Mo., Michael Foley and wife, Charlene, of Durham, N.C., Caitlin Pike of Chapel Hill, N.C., Hannah Grantham of Raleigh, N.C., Ross Wilson of Madison, Wis., David Wilson of Boston, Mass., Stacey Wilson and husband, Rob, Williamson of Portland, Ore., and Eric Wilson of New York, N.Y.
She also leaves behind 10 cherished great-grandchildren.
Also surviving Effie Ruth are her brother, James Louis Maxwell Jr. and wife, Mary Ann, and their children, Ann Maxwell, Charlotte Weaver, Betty Yarboro and Jim Maxwell of Goldsboro, along with their spouses and children.
In addition, she is survived by her nieces, Robin Zevenhuizen, Betsy Ramsey and Caroline Terrett, and their spouses and children all of Raleigh, N.C.
Following a private inurnment at the columbarium, there will be a celebration of life conducted by the Rev. Jim Harry at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 204 E. Chestnut St. in Goldsboro, N.C., Friday, March 14, at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the garden fund of St. Paul United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army of Wayne County would be welcomed.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 12, 2014 1:49 PM