- Date Of Birth: May 12, 1943
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2021
- State: North Carolina
On May 12, 1943 Mary Ruth Brand McLaurin (May Ruth) was born to the late Apostle James T. McManus and Mary Catherine Brand McManus in Dillon, SC. Romans 14:8 states “For if we live, we live in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s”. On April 19, 2021 the Lord called Mary to eternal rest.
Mary Ruth attended Richmond County Schools. She worked various jobs in Montgomery and Richmond Counties. She instilled the strong work ethic in her children. They would hear her say “If a man don’t work, he don’t eat”. The value of hard work never escaped us and she made sure we knew how to survive.
At the age of 18, Mary married the late James Mack McLaurin. To this union five children were born.
Mary Ruth accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Soon after she answered the call of ministry. She preached and held Bible study in her home. She became a member of the City of the Great Harvest in Lexington NC where she served on the Mother’s Board and held a position of Elder. She was not shy to tell of God’s goodness.
Mary Ruth was reared by her grandmother and considered her uncles Tracy Brand and the late Winfred Brand, both of PA, as brothers.
She leaves to cherish her memories eight children: Zelda (Otis) Baker of Rockingham, NC; James McLaurin of the home; Sandy (William) Johnson-Wall of Winston Salem, NC; Annie (Ricky) McLaurin of Winston Salem, NC; Winfred McLaurin of Ellerbe, NC; Eric McLaurin of the home; Keesha (Harold) Johnson of Thomasville, NC and Connie McLaurin of Greensboro, NC; twenty-three grandchildren; forty-five great-grandchildren; five great- great-grandchildren; and a host of of her relatives and friends.
