EMMA RUTH WITHERSPOON
Funeral services for Emma Ruth Witherspoon will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Cathedral Ministries, 60 Oswego Highway, Sumter, with the Rev. Anthony Gibson officiating and Pastor Marlin J. Clemons presiding. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park, Sumter.
The public may view from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Palmer Memorial Chapel, Sumter.
Ruth transitioned on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at her home in Sumter.
Born in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late James Ragin and Marie Servance-Ragin. Mrs. Ruth attended Manning High School and later continued her education in Stamford, Connecticut. In Stamford, she was a certified nursing assistant until retirement. She was the widow of John Witherspoon of Sumter. Mrs Ruth was a member of Grace Cathedral Ministries of Sumter, where she was honored with the title of "Mother of the Church" for many years. She also attended New Birth (COGIC) in Sumter.
In addition to her parents and husband, John, of 66 years, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorethea Dingle, Annie Sease, Willer Dean Ragin and Elizabeth Clark.
Survivors include her children, Ola Jean (Eden) Grandison of Norwalk, Connecticut, Ruth A. Nichols of Sumter, Diane (Nat) Booker and Valerie Smith, both of Stamford, Runette (James) Adams of Tampa, Florida, Lynette (Greg) Brayboy of Norwalk, Jonathan (Mona) Witherspoon of Stamford, and Carl Witherspoon and Austin Blythe of Asheville, North Carolina; 22 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings, the Rev. Julius (Dorothy) Ragin of Sumter, Elder Jay (Amy) Ragin, Thelma Williams and Betty Godfrey of Connecticut, Shirley Douglas of New York; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Condolences may be made on her tribute page found at www.PalmerMemorialChapel.com.
Professional services rendered by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.