Thursday, December 30, 2010 6:54 am

Mrs. Ruth Vess Tyler, 80, of Shelby, NC passed away Saturday, December 18, 2010. Services were held at Harrelson Funeral Chapel. Burial followed in Caroleen-Henrietta Cemetery.

Mrs. Tyler was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Fred S. Tyler; her parents, Roy Vess and Alice Blanton Vess; 1 brother, Troy Vess; 1 sister, Zella Gordon; and an infant daughter.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Freda Hall and husband Ted of Belmont, NC and Deborah Whitaker of Greenville, SC; 1 sister, Lydia Greene of Charlotte; 3 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; a special niece whom she raised as a baby sister, Carolyn Hooper of Ellenboro; special caregiver and best friend, Shannon Cunningham of Shelby; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Cleveland Pines Nursing Center, 1404 North Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28150; or Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Harrelson Funeral Home, Caroleen, NC is serving the family.