Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Spouses
BirthJun 29, 1932, Ossipee, Alamance County, North Carolina [14204]
DeathOct 27, 2024, Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina [14204]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [14204]
FlagsUS Navy
FatherJames Franklin KIZZIAH Sr. (1903-1970)
MotherAnnie BARBER (1903-1962)
Obituary Online notes for Ruth Janet WATKINS
Ruth Watkins Kizziah
September 19, 1930 - September 8, 2026
Ruth Watkins Kizziah, 95, passed away on September 8, 2026, just days shy of her 96th birthday.
Ruth was born on September 19, 1930, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Russie and John Sim Watkins. She grew up alongside her siblings, Fennis Watkins, Huey Watkins, Donald Watkins, Lois Meister and Isabel Hollis.
On January 28, 1956, Ruth married Gene Kizziah, beginning a marriage and partnership centered around family. Together, they made their home in Burlington, North Carolina, where they raised their three daughters.
Ruth's family was one of the great joys of her life. She is survived by her three daughters, Karen Davis and husband Martin, Kathy McLendon and husband T.D., and Terry Daugherty; seven grandchildren, Matt Davis and wife Theresa, Jamie Peckous and husband Stephen, Michael Davis and wife Chioma, Tray McLendon, Katie Daugherty and husband Doman, Jordan Daugherty and Chad Daugherty; and seven great-grandchildren, Livvy Peckous, Easton Johnson, Penny Peckous, Maggy Peckous, Ally Peckous, Mason Davis, and Micaiah Davis.
Ruth lived a full and active life and believed in being involved in the community around her. She was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Burlington, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher. Her commitment to helping others extended throughout the community through Meals on Wheels, the Blood Mobile, the Senior Citizen's Club, the Jaycee-ettes and other volunteer efforts. She was also a member of the Crestwood Ladies Club and enjoyed many years with her neighborhood bridge club.
When she wasn't volunteering or spending time with family, Ruth could often be found enjoying one of her favorite pastimes. She loved bowling, fishing and golfing and was especially proud of scoring a hole-in-one, although she was known to laugh about having to buy her own plaque to commemorate the achievement.
More than anything, Ruth will be remembered for the life she built around family, friendship, faith and community.Throughout her life she gave generously of her time, enjoyed the people around her and created countless memories that will continue to be shared by those who loved her.
Ruth's family is especially grateful to Renee Chavis and Vickie Locklear, whose care and companionship during the last year of her life provided comfort to Ruth and her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her parents, Russie and John Sim Watkins, and her siblings.
Ruth leaves behind a family spanning three generations, along with many friends and loved ones who were fortunate to share in her long and well-lived life. Her memory will live on in family gatherings, stories told and retold, and the many lives she touched through nearly a century of love, service and friendship.
A Celebration of Life service for Ruth will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Rich and Thompson Chapel in Burlington, N.C. by Rev. Powell Sykes. There will be a friends and family visitation at 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., with a burial ceremony at Alamance Memorial following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s honor should be made to 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care Memorial & Honorarium Gifts at 150 Techon Way, Pollocksville, NC, 28573.
https://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries/Ruth-Watkins-Kizziah?obId=49576062 [51778]
September 19, 1930 - September 8, 2026
Ruth Watkins Kizziah, 95, passed away on September 8, 2026, just days shy of her 96th birthday.
Ruth was born on September 19, 1930, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Russie and John Sim Watkins. She grew up alongside her siblings, Fennis Watkins, Huey Watkins, Donald Watkins, Lois Meister and Isabel Hollis.
On January 28, 1956, Ruth married Gene Kizziah, beginning a marriage and partnership centered around family. Together, they made their home in Burlington, North Carolina, where they raised their three daughters.
Ruth's family was one of the great joys of her life. She is survived by her three daughters, Karen Davis and husband Martin, Kathy McLendon and husband T.D., and Terry Daugherty; seven grandchildren, Matt Davis and wife Theresa, Jamie Peckous and husband Stephen, Michael Davis and wife Chioma, Tray McLendon, Katie Daugherty and husband Doman, Jordan Daugherty and Chad Daugherty; and seven great-grandchildren, Livvy Peckous, Easton Johnson, Penny Peckous, Maggy Peckous, Ally Peckous, Mason Davis, and Micaiah Davis.
Ruth lived a full and active life and believed in being involved in the community around her. She was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Burlington, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher. Her commitment to helping others extended throughout the community through Meals on Wheels, the Blood Mobile, the Senior Citizen's Club, the Jaycee-ettes and other volunteer efforts. She was also a member of the Crestwood Ladies Club and enjoyed many years with her neighborhood bridge club.
When she wasn't volunteering or spending time with family, Ruth could often be found enjoying one of her favorite pastimes. She loved bowling, fishing and golfing and was especially proud of scoring a hole-in-one, although she was known to laugh about having to buy her own plaque to commemorate the achievement.
More than anything, Ruth will be remembered for the life she built around family, friendship, faith and community.Throughout her life she gave generously of her time, enjoyed the people around her and created countless memories that will continue to be shared by those who loved her.
Ruth's family is especially grateful to Renee Chavis and Vickie Locklear, whose care and companionship during the last year of her life provided comfort to Ruth and her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her parents, Russie and John Sim Watkins, and her siblings.
Ruth leaves behind a family spanning three generations, along with many friends and loved ones who were fortunate to share in her long and well-lived life. Her memory will live on in family gatherings, stories told and retold, and the many lives she touched through nearly a century of love, service and friendship.
A Celebration of Life service for Ruth will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Rich and Thompson Chapel in Burlington, N.C. by Rev. Powell Sykes. There will be a friends and family visitation at 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., with a burial ceremony at Alamance Memorial following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s honor should be made to 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care Memorial & Honorarium Gifts at 150 Techon Way, Pollocksville, NC, 28573.
https://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries/Ruth-Watkins-Kizziah?obId=49576062 [51778]
Obituary Online notes for Gene Farrell (Spouse 1)
10/29/2024
Gene Farrell Kizziah
June 29, 1932 ~ October 27, 2024 (age 92)
Gene Farrell Kizziah, 92, of Newport, NC passed away at Crystal Coast Hospice House on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
A native of Burlington and born in Ossipee, NC, he was the husband of 68 years to Ruth Watkins Kizziah, who survives and the son of James Franklin Kizziah and Annie Barber Kizziah, both deceased. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and a 1959 graduate of N. C. State University. Gene retired from Western Electric as a mechanical engineer. He was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Med Alert Services, and the Shepherd’s Kitchen. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and loved N.C.State.
Gene was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, Clerk of Session, and with His Kids as a tutor and mentor.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Karen K. Davis (Martin) of Swansboro, Kathy K. McLendon (T.D.) of Newport, and Terry K. Daugherty of Newport; sister, Brenda Smith (Hugh) of Burlington; twin brother, Jack Kizziah (Pat) of Burlington; seven grandchildren, Matthew Davis (Theresa), Michael Davis, Jamie Peckous (Stephen), Tray McLendon, Katie Daugherty (Doman), Jordan Daugherty, and Chad Daugherty; seven great-grandchildren, Mason Davis, Micaiah Davis, Olivia Peckous, Penny Peckous, Magnolia Peckous, Alexandria Peckous, and Easton Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Lou Barker and Margie Allen and a brother, Frank Kizziah, Jr.
The funeral service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Powell Sykes with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Alamance Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570.
https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/Gene-Kizziah [14204]
Gene Farrell Kizziah
June 29, 1932 ~ October 27, 2024 (age 92)
Gene Farrell Kizziah, 92, of Newport, NC passed away at Crystal Coast Hospice House on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
A native of Burlington and born in Ossipee, NC, he was the husband of 68 years to Ruth Watkins Kizziah, who survives and the son of James Franklin Kizziah and Annie Barber Kizziah, both deceased. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and a 1959 graduate of N. C. State University. Gene retired from Western Electric as a mechanical engineer. He was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Med Alert Services, and the Shepherd’s Kitchen. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and loved N.C.State.
Gene was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, Clerk of Session, and with His Kids as a tutor and mentor.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Karen K. Davis (Martin) of Swansboro, Kathy K. McLendon (T.D.) of Newport, and Terry K. Daugherty of Newport; sister, Brenda Smith (Hugh) of Burlington; twin brother, Jack Kizziah (Pat) of Burlington; seven grandchildren, Matthew Davis (Theresa), Michael Davis, Jamie Peckous (Stephen), Tray McLendon, Katie Daugherty (Doman), Jordan Daugherty, and Chad Daugherty; seven great-grandchildren, Mason Davis, Micaiah Davis, Olivia Peckous, Penny Peckous, Magnolia Peckous, Alexandria Peckous, and Easton Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Lou Barker and Margie Allen and a brother, Frank Kizziah, Jr.
The funeral service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Powell Sykes with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Alamance Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570.
https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/Gene-Kizziah [14204]