Mary Ruth Spangler Dedmon, age 88, of 1511 McBrayer Springs Rd., Shelby, died Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at home surrounded by her family. She was a daughter of the late Abb Sylvester Spangler and Mittie Warlick Spangler. She graduated from Piedmont High School, Lawndale, and Kings College, Charlotte. Following her graduation from Kings College, she was employed as a secretary, insurance clerk and bookkeeper. It was in 1956, however, that there was a dramatic change in her career. She was appointed by the late J.W. Osborne as a Deputy Clerk of Superior Court for Cleveland County. Shortly thereafter, she was reappointed as an Assistant Clerk. She served as Assistant Clerk for the next 13 years. In 1970, she ran and was elected to the office of Clerk of Superior Court where she remained without opposition for the next 20 years, until her retirement in 1990. She was the first woman to be elected to a constitutional office in Cleveland County.

During her professional career and subsequent retirement, she was a member of the NC Association of Clerks of Superior Court, during which time she was appointed by Gov. Bob Scott to the NC Manpower Council for manpower services and individuals in the criminal justice system; the only woman serving on this committee. She was also a member of the Cleveland County Juvenile Counseling Commission, Alcoholic Task Force, Head Start Policy Council, and The Cleveland County Mental Health Department's Consumer Rights Committee. She also served on the NC State Democratic Executive Committee for 10 years.

She was a member of Ross Grove Baptist Church in Shelby, where she served as a deacon, trustee, teacher, member of the church choir, and various other positions in the church. She was the first woman to be elected deacon in her church.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Roy Donald Dedmon of Shelby; one son, Rodney Kevin Dedmon, Sr., and wife, Myra Royster Dedmon; grandson, Rodney Kevin Dedmon, Jr., and wife, Kristyn Funderburke Dedmon, and grandson Kristopher Charles Dedmon, all of Shelby. She is also survived by two siblings, sister, Doris Spangler Dedmon, and brother, James C. Spangler and wife, Carolyn Branton Spangler, all of Shelby. She was preceded in death by her sister Sadie Spangler Wright.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Ross Grove Baptist Church with the Reverends Joshua Hunt and Marcus McGill officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm in the sanctuary.

Memorials may be made to Ross Grove Baptist Church, 1225 Fallston Rd., Shelby, NC 28150 or Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Dedmon.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com