Ruth Joyce Sprouse

Asheville - Ruth Joyce Sprouse, 67, of 11 Impala Trail, passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she retired from the Neil Dobbins Center as a substance abuse counselor following 20 years of service. She was a member of West Asheville Baptist Church. Mrs. Sprouse was the daughter of the late Richard Allen and Minnie Smith Joyce, and the widow of John Calvin Sprouse, who passed away in 1974. She was also preceded in death by her twin sister, Ruby, as well as sisters: Nellie and Rachel; and brother, Richard. Surviving are her daughter, Kathy Jones of Asheville; sons: John C. Sprouse and Steve A. Sprouse, both of Asheville; grandchildren: Mandy, Kevin, Dylan, Cindy, Ashley, Stevie, and Stephanie; great-grandson, Rylie; and sisters: Minnie, Georgia, Margaret, and Brenda. Memorial services will be held at 2 PM Saturday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. David Tucker and her nephew, Rev. Dr. James Hardin officiating. Private graveside services will be held at a later date in the Snow Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the services.