Norma Ruth Bunn of Fancy Gap, VA passed away Wednesday July 10, 2024 at Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC.  She was born in Burkes Garden, VA on February 6, 1942, to the late Mack and Pauline Brown.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister; always seeing to everyone's needs (even her grandchildren's pets).  Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren to whom she was known as: Mama Ruth, Granny B., and Grandma.  To her friends and community Ruth was a friend and master gardener!  It brought her great joy to work in her gardens.  She often could be seen early in the mornings and late in the evenings gardening and humming in a "Life is Good" t-shirt. Ruth was a very giving person. Many gardens in Carroll County and beyond have flowers that originated in her gardens.  She dug many plants for visitors wanting to start their own perennial gardens.  Ruth was a Carroll County Public School teacher for 38 years.  She was very creative in the classroom and always found a way to make learning fun!  Her desire to teach never left her, even after retirement.  She taught many people who visited her gardens about gardening and caring for nature.   She donated her time and talents to Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.  Many Girl and Boy Scouts spent time on her porch learning and having a good time and enjoying a big breakfast after spending the night.  Ruth also enjoyed collecting Santa Clauses! Her Santa collection was quite impressive.  Joe and Ruth opened their home several Christmas seasons to visitors as participants of the "Tour of the Homes" Hospice fundraiser event.

She was preceded in death by her parents the late Mack and Pauline Brown; brother, James R. Brown; and brother-in-law, Hank Daniel.  Left to cherish her memory are:  husband, Joe H. Bunn; sister, Claudine Daniel; children and spouses: Kim and Allen Robinson, Brian and Beth Bunn, Brett and Jennifer Bunn, Joel and Amy Bunn; nine grandchildren:  Austin Bunn and wife Lauren, Jon Robinson and wife Katie, Kymbre Robinson and husband Andrew Simmons, Emily Bunn, Erin Bunn, Vivian Bunn, Ephraim Bunn, Gavin Bunn, and Markus Bunn; great-grandchild, Wesley Bunn; and sister-in-law: Joyce Bunn.

The family expresses special gratitude to Mountain Valley Hospice of Galax, VA, special friend, Marsha Underwood, the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC, and all the family and friends who visited and cared for her during the last few months.

The family will be having an informal, casual visitation at Joe and Ruth's home on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Family and friends are encouraged to enjoy Ruth's beautiful gardens and reminisce.  A private celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Just as Ruth loved her grandchildren, she loved to support young people throughout the community.  In lieu of flowers, individuals are encouraged to donate to youth organizations that share her passions including agriculture/gardening, education/children's literacy, Scouting, and philanthropy. Donations may also be made to the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC.  Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the Bunn family.