Ms. Ruth L. Sales "Nean", 83 of 1625 E. 3rd Street at University Place Winston-Salem, NC was born June 10, 1925 and departed this life on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Oak Forest Rehabilitation Nursing Center after a brief period of illness.

A homemaker and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a mother to many neighborhood children who called her "Nean" Reading her Bible everyday and teaching all children in her path the principles of God. She attended 14th Street Elementary School and Atkins High School. She remained actively involved with her family and friends in the community at University Place. She extended a helping hand to her neighbors at all times. She was a neighborhood hairdresser.

In her youth, Ms. Sales attended Shiloh Baptist Church where she was baptized at the age of 15 by Reverend R.M. Pitts. She was a faithful member of the Junior Choir, BTU, Sunday school, and Junior Missionary Departments.

Most recently she frequently worshiped at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church.

Ms. Sales was preceded in death by her parents, Aggie C. Sales and Odessa A, Sales; one son, Roscoe L. Sales; two brothers, Aggie Sales, Jr. and Robert L. Sales; and three sisters, Annie Allen, Gloria D. Cole, and Ruby Gantt.

Cherished memories and love will always remain in the hearts of her son, a very attentive caregiver, Barry L. Sales (Milia), a very special daughter-in-law and her caregiver; one sister, Mamie G. Brown who helped in raising Ruth's sons; three very special brothers-in-law, James H. Brown, Sr. of Winston-Salem, Alphonso Gant of Silver Spring, MD, and Harry Allen of Winston-Salem, NC; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a very special friend and caregiver towards the end of her journey, Melinee Forest.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Tuesday, April 21, 2009 from the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop Todd Fulton, pastor of Mount Moriah Outreach Center officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1pm on Tuesday at the Church.

The family would like to thank Pastor Cook and the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church family for their support and the staff at Winston-Salem Health Care, Forsyth Medical Center, and Oak Forest Rehabilitation Center for the special care given to our loved on.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church Missionary and Sunday School Ministries.

Servant of God, well done, the battle fought, the victory won.