Ruth Carter Stapleton (August 7, 1929- September 26, 1983) is a sister of Jimmy Carter (1924-) and was known in her own right as a Christian evangelist. She died of pancreatic cancer in 1983.

Ruth was born August 7, 1929, in Plains, Ga., the third of the four children in the family of James Earl Carter, Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter.

Besides the former president, Stapleton had an older sister, Gloria (1926-1990) and Billy, (1937-1988). All three of them died of pancreatic cancer, along with their parents.

Ruth earned her Bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Stapleton later earned her theological degree.

Stapleton married Robert Thome Stapleton, a successful veterinarian in (1948) and bore him four children: Lynn (born 1950), Scott (born 1951), Patricia (born 1954) and Michael (born 1958). Stapleton suffered from chronic depression and a car wreck which nearly costed her her life during the time immediately following the birth of her children. Stapleton also complained of herself as being "worthless", which motivated her to continue her education and pursue a career outside the home.

Ruth was the best friend of Jimmy Carter's wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter (August 18, 1927-) of Plains, Ga. The two young girls lived next door to one another growing up. Later Rosalynn became interested in the young Jimmy and Ruth helped them to begin dating. As Jimmy and Rosalynn began to become serious, Ruth became jealous. Rosalynn Carter later stated herself that it took the two of them several years to get over their hard feelings and become comfortable around one another again.