RUTH J. HOUCK

Ruth Jackson Houck was born on June 19, 1928, to the late O’Neal and Hattie Drayton Jackson. She departed this earthly life on Aug. 27, 2014, in the comfort of her home.
Mrs. Houck was educated in the public schools of Sumter County and retired from Campbell Soup Co. with more than 20 years of dedicated service. She accepted Christ at an early age. Mrs. Houck was a dedicated, hard-working Christian, until her health started failing. She was a member of St. Mark Four Bridges Missionary Baptist Church and later united with Enon Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on numerous ministries, including Usher Ministry (president), Sunday school teacher, Trustee Ministry, Missionary Ministry, Pastor’s Aide Ministry; she sang with the Evangelist Echoes. She loved to bake cakes and was a mighty prayer warrior, an avid lover of poems and a faithful volunteer at Tuomey Healthcare System.
Mrs. Houck leaves to cherish her memories her devoted husband of 65 years, Brother James Houck Sr.; three daughters, Hattie R. Colleton of Baltimore, Maryland, Francina (Moses) Dix, and Linda Leneau of Sumter; five sons, James (Loretta) Houck Jr. of Sumter, Timothy (Joyce) Houck of Columbia, Clarence (Glenda) Houck, O’Neal (Lucretia) Houck and Daryl (Loretta) Houck, all of Sumter; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; two nieces that were reared in the home as sisters, Thomasine Tomlin and Susie Willis of Sumter; and two additional nieces, Audrey Woods and Gertrude Moore of New York; one nephew, Sidney Jackson of Wedgefield; an adopted daughter, Oleta Pearson of Sumter; sisters-in-law, Ellen Coleman of Wedgefield and Ruth Clyburn of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, John Glisson of Wedgefield; a dedicated and faithful caregiver for more than 10 years, Teresa Baxter of Sumter; and a host of other family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Maggie Thompson, Annie Lee Brewer, Dorothy Capers and Thelma Quashie; two brothers, O’Neal and Willie Jackson and one son-in-law, Kelvin Leneau.
Funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Enon Missionary Baptist Church, 2990 Pinewood Road, Sumter, with Pastor Stanley E. Hayes Sr., officiating. Interment will follow in Smith Cemetery.
Family is receiving friends at 3225 Avins Road, Sumter.
Job’s Mortuary, Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.