Ruby "Ann" Medford

Ann passed away on March 14, 2022. She was born in Gaston County on April 28, 1938 to Ed Wynn McKnight and Ruby Haltiwanger. She graduated from Ashley High School in 1956 and furthered her education at Western Carolina College where she was a charter member of Sigma Kappa, Gamma Rho Chapter. It was there she met the love of her life. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1960 and married that love a week later. 

Her teaching career spanned 37 years. 35 with Gaston County Schools and 2 years in Alachua County, FL. She worked at Peedin Elementary, East Elementary, Woodhill Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Lingerfeldt Elementary and finally retired from Forest Heights Elementary. She taught all grade levels, but 5th and 6th grades were her favorite ones.

Ann was a long-time member of New Hope Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Women where she was awarded lifetime membership. She served as the hostess for the Bereavement Committee and was a member of the Morning Circle. She was a volunteer at CaroMont Regional Medical Center where she worked in the gift shop and bought more that she sold.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Keaton Allen-Ray Campion, her daughter Jill Medford Campion, her brother Ed “Sonny” McKnight, and her sister Julie Allen McGraw. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ray Medford, her daughter Beth Medford Carter (Greg), her grandchildren Christopher and Caroline Campion and Nick and Ben Carter and 5 nephews. She is also survived by her “lunch bunch,” Martha Greene, Ann Gates, Gloria Allman and Mary Leigh Crain. 

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 2:30 pm at New Hope Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, NC followed by her burial in the church cemetery and visitation following also at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ann’s memory to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 4357 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056.