Daughter of Thomas Herndon Alford and Lacenie Jane Peed Alford.

Married to Lewis Henry Utley on August 8, 1930 in Durham County, North Carolina.
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DURHAM - Ruth Alford Utley, 98, was born April 23, 1909, in Durham and went home to be with the Lord on May 16, 2007, after a brief illness. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints," Psalm 116.15.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas H. Alford and LaCenie P. Alford as well as her loving husband of 67 years, Lewis Utley. She is survived by her three children, Shirley Hursey and her husband, Otho, Carolyn Baker and her husband, Hazel, and Steve Utley; and a sister, Mary Whitt.

"Ma Ruth," as she was affectionately known, had seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and they brought her so much joy.

Ruth was a member of Durham Memorial Baptist Church. She worked alongside her husband, Lewis, for over 50 years at Lewis's Cafe. Upon his retirement, she enjoyed many wonderful years with the love of her life.

She also enjoyed working in her flowers, antiques, collecting dolls, interior decorating, chocolate candy and celebrating special occasions with her family and friends.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brandon Baker, Tyler Handfinger, Brice Hursey, Kenneth Hursey, David Utley and Chris Utley.

Ruth's homegoing celebration will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Durham Memorial Baptist Church. The Rev. Ed Denton and the Rev. Dr. Gerald Goodwin will preside. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
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1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Ruth Alford
Age in 1910: 1
Birth Year: abt 1909
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1910: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Street: Driver Ave
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital status: Single
Father's name: Thomas H Alford
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's name: Lareenia Alford
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Native Tongue: English
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas H Alford 33
Lareenia Alford 28
Ralph Alford 8
Thomas Alford 6
Bernice Alford 4
Ruth Alford 1

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Ruth Alford
Age: 10
Birth Year: abt 1910
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Street: Guthrie Ave
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital status: Single
Father's name: Thomas H Alford
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's name: Larceny Alford
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Able to Speak English: Yes
Attended School: yes
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas H Alford 43
Larceny Alford 38
Ralph J Alford 18
Thomas H Alford 16
Bernice D Alford 14
Ruth Alford 10
Forrest P Alford 9
William D Alford 7
Lucy E Alford 5
Mary D Alford 3
Arthur Barbee 37

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Ruth H Alford
Birth Year: abt 1910
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Home in 1930: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Street address: Driver Ave
Ward of City: 6 part of
House Number: 116
Dwelling Number: 70
Family Number: 74
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Clerk
Industry: Retail Store
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
Larceny J Alford 48
Thomas H Alford 26
Burnice L Alford 24
Pansy M Alford 24
Ruth H Alford 20
Forest P Alford 19
William D Alford 17

North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011
Name: Ruth Alford
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Year: abt 1909
Marriage Date: 8 Aug 1930
Marriage Place: Durham, North Carolina
Father: T H Alford
Mother: L Alford
Spouse: Lewis Henry Utley
Spouse Gender: Male
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 23
Spouse Father: H A Utley
Spouse Mother: Rosa Utley
Event Type: Marriage

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Ruth Utley
Respondent: Yes
Age: 30
Estimated birth year: abt 1910
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Home in 1940: Oak Grove, Durham, North Carolina
Inferred Residence in 1935: Duchesne, Duchesne, North Carolina
Residence in 1935: Duchesne, Duchesne, North Carolina
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 61A
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 3rd year
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Name Age
Lemis H Utley 33
Ruth Utley 30
Shirley Utley 8
Carolyn Utley 1

Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
Name: Mrs Ruth Holt Utley
Gender: Female
Relationship to Draftee: Wife
Residence Place: Wake Forest, Durham, North Carolina
Registration Place: Wake Forest, Durham, North Carolina
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Louis Henry Utley Self (Head)
Ruth Holt Utley Wife