Ruth Bankston Hammond Purvis

Mrs. Ruth Bankston Hammond Purvis, age 88, of Zebulon, passed away August 25, 2023, at her home.  Ruth grew up in Molena, daughter of the late James Lester Bankston and Ona Mae Alexander Bankston.  She worked hard all of her life. For 63 years she was in the restaurant business, first with her husband, Harry Hammond, at Harry’s Restaurant in Zebulon. After he passed away in 1973, she changed the name to Ruth’s and continued to operate it alongside her second husband, Oscar Purvis, until he passed away in 2020.  Ruth will always be remembered for her famous hamburgers, her delicious homemade southern meals, and her gracious hospitality. She closed the restaurant and retired in December 2022.

 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Harry Hammond and Oscar Purvis, and her sister, Joann Swygert.

 

She is survived by her daughter: Teresa Hammond Goforth of Molena; grandson:  Alex Goforth; sister and brother-in-law: Uldine and Raphael Brumbeloe of Meansville; brother and sister-in-law:  Hollis and Millie Bankston of Williamson; and many nieces and nephews. 

 

She is also survived by special family friends: Kim Lynch of Zebulon, Sheila Massengale of Meansville, Hazel Lee of Meansville, and Jeff Sheriff of Zebulon.

 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Pitts officiating.  Burial will follow in Moody Memorial Gardens

 

Friends may visit the family on Monday, August 28, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the funeral home.