Ruby Smith Hinson

Ruby Smith Hinson, 95, of Stoneville, NC, passed away at her home on Tuesday morning January 13, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, at First Baptist Church of Eden with burial to follow at Lawson Cemetery in Eden, NC.

Mrs. Hinson was born in Leaksville, N.C., on January 20, 1930 to Fred D. Smith and Hattie Carter Smith, now deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Hinson. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Eden, where she was organist for 77 years and was awarded the title of Organist Emeritus in May of 2025. Ruby loved the Lord and was active for many years in WMU and Eden Christian Women’s Club. A woman of many accomplishments, Ruby had a long banking career, retiring as Operations Officer from Southern National Bank (later BB&T and then Truist). In addition, she was well known as a local organist and pianist in the Eden area, playing for hundreds of weddings, funerals, and concerts at churches throughout the area during her long life. She was also a cattle and timber farmer in Rockingham County until the time of her death. Ruby loved animals and was a good mother to many adopted fur-babies, both cats and dogs, throughout her life. (She even built a “cat house” for all the stray and dropped-off cats who showed up at her farm.)

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Hinson was predeceased by her sisters Mary Sue Surber of Martinsville, VA and Eunice Shreve of Cary, NC, and her brother Fred D. Smith Jr. of Eden. Survivors include her sister-in-law Barbara Smith, and her nieces and nephews Carol Surber Lewis of Eagle Rock, VA; James A. "Jim" Surber Jr. (Linda), of Greensboro; Jeffrey S. Surber (Toby) of Stewartstown, PA.; Donna Shreve Strickland (Ralph) of Raleigh, NC; Susan Shreve Watkins (Gary) of Raleigh, NC; and Rick Smith (Sherri) of Morehead City, NC; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins and loving friends.

Special thanks go to her caregiver during the past 5 years, Susan Arrington.

Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, at Fair Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Eden, 533 Greenwood St., Eden, North Carolina 27288.