CHINA GROVE – Betty Ruth Haithcock Blalock, 71, of 150 Ed Deal Road, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at her home after nine years of declining health.

Born March 6, 1935, in Bennettsville, S.C., Mrs. Blalock was a daughter of the late Sam Jay Haithcock and Janie Dew Haithcock. Educated at Winecoff High School, she received her GED from Rowan Technical College. A resident of Kannapolis/China Grove area most of her life, she was employed with Cannon Mills Co. and Fieldcrest-Cannon Inc. for 42 years. The last 16 years, she was a supervisor in towel finishing and packaging.

Mrs. Blalock was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in China Grove.

Preceding her in death were brother-in-law Frank Spears of Weaverville and three sisters.

Survivors include her husband, Herschel Jack Blalock Sr., whom she married Dec. 21, 1952, in Lancaster, S.C.; daughters Kathy Beaver and Lisa Ashley and husband Mike, all of China Grove; son Jack Blalock Jr. and wife Sally of China Grove; grandchildren Kimberly Sherrill and Laura (Katie) Stamey and husband Chris of Kannapolis, Michael Sherrill and wife Anna, Crystal Blalock, Joey Ashley and Katie Ashley, all of China Grove, and Nicholas Beaver of Landis; great-grandchildren Peyton and Callie Sherrill of China Grove and Carolyn Stamey of Kannapolis; brothers Sam Jay Haithcock Jr. and wife Pauline of Kannapolis and James (Buddy) Haithcock and wife Sharon of Rockwell; sisters Lelia Isenhour and husband Glenn of Briefield, Ala., and Gladys Spears of Weaverville; and sister-in-law Sally Clayton of China Grove.

Service: 2 p.m. Sunday at Concordia Lutheran Church in China Grove with the Rev. Ken Reed and the Rev. Dr. Larry Bost officiating. Burial will at the church cemetery.

Visitation: 7-9 tonight at Whitley’s Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of her husband at 150 Ed Deal Road.

Memorials: Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Boy Scout Camp Road, Kannapolis, NC 28081; or Concordia Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 185 Concordia Church Road, China Grove, NC.

Online condolences may be made at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.