Ruth Frances Peele Monds

Ruth Frances Peele Monds, known as "Grandmama" to all, died at 95 years of age at Hidenwood Retirement Community, 50 Wellesley Dr, Newport News, Virginia 23606 on December 23, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. The family is deeply grateful to Traditions Hospice Care and the Hidenwood Retirement Community for their compassionate support and assistance during her final days.

Ruth was born on June 28, 1930, in Rocky Hock, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Leslie and Lizzie Peele.

Ruth’s father was a local farmer and fisherman in the Rocky Hock Community of Chowan County, North Carolina. Her mother was a homemaker and the woman behind the taciturn provider of the family. Ruth was the younger of 3 kids. She spent most of her adult life in the Center Hill Community of Chowan County, North Carolina, where she developed a love of fried chicken and potato salad, which would accompany a very good glass of southern sweet tea. If she had one addiction in life, it was sweet tea. At every meal and in between she could be found with a glass of good ole southern sweet tea in her hand.

She married John Preston Monds in 1946. The country was in the midst of the Post-War Era after WWII when they married and fought to raise American life back up again. Preston was a farmer who loved nothing better than to ride around looking at the crops. Often Preston and Ruth would ride through Bear Swamp soaking up the peace and quiet and making sure that the crops were well taken care of.

She lived through an astonishing amount of history, starting with the Depression. She always had distinct memories of people standing in long food lines for hoop cheese and a bunch of bananas, which made her grateful for every meal. Even though the food was limited after the war, she began to see how Americans were working hard to overcome the war and make a better community for their children.

Ruth had a son, William “Bill” Bennie Monds, who passed away November 1, 2009 of swine flu. She is survived by two daughters, Peggy Monds Spivey and Connie Monds Parrish. Ruth is survived by seven grandchildren, Karen Spivey Grigg, Bryant McCoy Spivey, Jenny Monds Altman, William Preston Monds, Ryan Dean Parrish, Joshua Edward Parrish and Brandon Daniel Parrish. Ruth had a great grandson Briar James Altman who died in an automobile accident on August 30, 2014. She is survived by 11 great grandchildren, Ashley Makayla Grigg, Kaitlyn Mackenzie Grigg, Kate Ashlyn Spivey, Grace Elizabeth Spivey, Daniel Christopher Midgette, Timothy Edward Midgette, Benjamin Preston Monds, William Graham Monds, Garrett Pierce Monds, Hope Ryan Parrish, and Eleanor “Abby” Rose Parrish.

While she experienced loss in her 95 years, she also experienced a lot of joy and fun. When she reflected on her life she remembered the good times at Center Hill Baptist Church teaching Sunday School class, singing in the choir and being a faithful member of the Women’s Missionary Union. One of her most beloved activities was reading the Bible and doing word searches on Christian activities. After the death of her husband, she still liked to ride in Bear Swamp looking at all the crops and remembering the good times that she and Preston had.

Ruth always said she had no regrets and lived the best life she could.

The service will be held at Center Hill Baptist Church on Monday, December 29th at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to honor Ruth's memory may make donations to Center Hill Baptist Church, Tyner, North Carolina, where she was a member.

To send flowers to the family of Ruth Monds please visit Sawyer’s Designs, 930 Virginia Road, Edenton, North Carolina 27932. The telephone number is 252-325-0710.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC is assisting the Monds’ family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com