Ruby Dean Taylor

Ruby Dean McKeel Taylor, 90, of Stantonsburg, died Thursday, July 2, 2026.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Sunday, July 5th, 3:00 PM, at First Baptist Church, Stantonsburg. The visitation will be one hour before the service (2-3 pm). Interment will be in the Stantonsburg Cemetery.

Ruby Dean passed away surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, deep love, and quiet strength.

She loved the Lord with all her heart and found great joy in serving her church, First Baptist Stantonsburg, which she was a member for 54 years. She spent many years faithfully caring for her husband, Bunk, before he passed. Her faith guided the way she lived each day and was evident in the kindness, service, and steadfastness she showed to others.

She was known for her strong will, graceful presence, and always being beautifully put together. Whether she was enjoying a trip to Belk, keeping up with her regular hair and nail appointments, grocery shopping, getting a vanilla milkshake from Chick-fil-A with Dawn, or making sure her car was sparkling clean, she found joy in the simple routines that brought order and comfort to life.

Above all, she cherished her family. Her greatest happiness came from spending time with her great-grandchildren, celebrating life’s everyday moments with family, and spoiling her beloved grand dog. Her home and heart were always open to those she loved.

Ruby Dean will be remembered for her faith, her fierce love for her family, her generous spirit, and the example she set through a life lived with purpose, dignity, and devotion. Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort knowing she is now in the presence of her Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

She is survived by her daughter Dawn Grimes (David) of Stantonsburg; son, Shane Taylor of Stantonsburg; grandchildren, Madison Webb (Andrew), Katie Wells (Joseph), and Nicole Laws (Leon); great-grandchildren, DJ Madrigal (fiancée, Olivia), Kennedy, Myles, Wesleigh, and Murphy Kate Webb, and Pearl Wells; sister, Reta Chase of Eureka; sister-in-law, Nancy McKeel of Carrollton, VA.

Ruby Dean was preceded in death by her husband Joseph "Bunk" Taylor; parents, James Thomas McKeel and Mary Varnell McKeel; sisters, Alice Holland and Louise Bell; brothers, Fredrick, Eugene, Ray, Kinchen, and Mack McKeel.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Stantonsburg, PO Box 57, Stantonsburg, NC 27883.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com