SALISBURY--Ruby Mae Bame Knox, 96, of Trinity Oaks Retirement Center, formerly of Carolina Beach, died Tuesday at Rowan Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

Ruby was born in Rowan County to the late James Rowan Lindsay Bame and Florence Amanda Ludwig. Educated in Rowan County schools, she graduated from Cleveland High School and earned her undergraduate degree at Women's College in Greensboro and her graduate degrees at East Carolina University.

She taught at Leland High School and New Hanover High School in Wilmington until she joined the faculty at the Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She was associate professor of Business Administration and Accounting until her retirement.

On October 19, 1935, Ruby married the late James Augustus Knox of Rowan County; they moved to Carolina Beach in 1942, where they raised three children and owned several businesses.

Ruby was a member of Carolina Beach Presbyterian Church, where she was named Elder Emeritus. She was President of Theta Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, Wilmington and a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. Knox returned to Rowan county in June 2000 where she joined John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Salisbury. She was a member of Epsilon Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, Salisbury; the John Knox Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; and a member of Clio Book Club.

Along with her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her son, James Howard Knox.

Survivors include her daughter, Ruby Joyce Knox (Wayne) McLaughlin of Mooresville; son, David Wilson (Francine) Knox of Atlanta, GA; daughter-in-law, Jean Strickland Knox of Fort Mill, SC; grandchildren, Lucinda McLaughlin (Gregory) Poole of Chapel Hill, Lindsay Wayne McLaughlin of Washington, D.C., David Scott (Amy) McLaughlin of Rutherfordton, Amy McLaughlin (Corey) Cochran of Concord, James Howard (Ella) Knox, Jr. of Fort Mill, S.C., Melanie Knox (Richie) Sharpless of Fort Mill, Dr. Daniel Brian Knox of Pendleton, S.C., and Brandon David Knox (fiancee, Kristina) of Marietta, GA; great-grandchildren, Derek Poole of Tampa, FL, James Poole of Chapel Hill, David, Emily, Rachel and Sarah Ruby McLaughlin of Rutherfordton, Elizabeth, Justus, Isaac and Samuel Cochran of Concord, Jim, Wyatt and Lillie Knox of Fort Mill, S.C., HK, Gus and Georgia Sharpless of Fort Mill, and Logan David Knox of Marietta, GA.

A private burial will be held at Third Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Cleveland for the family. A Memorial service will be conducted Friday, August 14, at 2:00 p.m. at John Calvin Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Todd Hobbie officiating.

Lyerly Funeral Home is assisting the Knox family.