Zachariah Burnett and his lovely wife, Lena Alston Burnett were blessed when they welcomed a bouncing baby girl on April 22, 1935. The loving couple welcomed this addition to their family and decided to name her Ruth. Being a native of Alamance County, Ruth Burnett Hadley graduated from historic Graham Negro School in 1953. She was a good student and excelled in academics and leadership.
By her senior year she was Business Manager for the yearbook, a member of the basketball team, a skilled bus driver and a member of Student Council. Shortly after graduating high school Ruth was the first School Secretary at the Graham School and worked there until it closed. During that time she achieved a Secretarial Certificate from A&T State College.
In 1955, Ruth married Willie “Bill” Hadley from Pittsboro whose baseball games she frequented with her brother James. They lived in Pittsboro for a period of time and then moved to Graham where they purchased a home and raised three children: Robyn, Bill and Randy. Ruth continued being active at Burnett’s Chapel faithfully producing the church bulletins, serving on the Usher Board, Trustee Board and as Church Clerk.
In the early 1970’s, she played a major role in completing the construction loan applications to grow the church facilities. She and her late brother Garry successfully persuaded local government officials to pave Burnett’s Chapel Church Road.
During her 40 years – mostly at Haw River Elementary School – Ruth developed a reputation as a trusted and revered administrative professional in the Alamance-Burlington School System. Students and parents always knew she was helpful, dependable and kind. She served as Secretary and/or Treasurer for a multitude of community organizations and she was a very active parent volunteer as her three children grew up and participated in activities.
Like many of the teachers who instructed and mentored her at the Graham School, Ruth used her role as school secretary and volunteer to focus on supporting children and helping them and their families prepare for college and employment opportunities. She retired in 2004.
Ruth was a member of Alamance Democratic Women, Sertoma Women’s Club and the Graham High School Band and Athletics Booster Clubs. Later in her life she joined Children’s Chapel UCC with her daughter where she served on the Missionary Circle, Pastor’s Aide, Volunteer for the YESICAN Program and the Mother Board.
Ruth loved sports from a young age and was especially interested in Tar Heel basketball and tennis. She was also a big baseball fan and loved the Atlanta Braves. Many times Ruth attended Braves spring training in Florida as well as ballgames in Atlanta. In 2013, she had front row seats to watch Serena and Venus Williams in Charleston, SC and afterwards she met Serena Williams. Her summer schedule revolved around Braves game times and tennis match tournament times. Until her health declined, Ruth was an avid traveler and often visited her children and grandchildren in California, Florida, Missouri, Virginia and England.
She leaves loving and lasting memories and impressions on the lives of her devoted children: Willie B. Hadley (Ana) of Encino, CA, Randy B. Hadley (Amie) of Orlando, FL and Robyn S. Hadley of Graham, NC; seven adoring grandchildren: Nathan and Alyssa Hadley of Encino, CA, Jhase Jeffries of Burlington, NC, Brycen, Skylar, Keyghan and Miykah Hadley all of Orlando, FL.; four loving siblings: Virginia Foust, Louella Fearrington, Arthur “Pete” Burnett (Debbie) and Fran Lackey (Harvey); three supportive in-laws: Edward Hadley (Paulette) and Joyce McKissick of Pittsboro, NC as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Services celebrating her life and honoring her legacy were held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 12 Noon at Burnett’s Chapel Christian Church. Following the services, she was interred at Children’s Chapel United Church of Christ Cemetery.
