RUTH ELIZABETH GRIFFIN AYCOCK
Funeral services for Ruth Elizabeth Griffin Aycock, 98, will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the Rev. Laura Whitt officiating.
Burial will follow at Pinewood Cemetery, Pinewood.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church and other times at the home of her daughter, 497 Chippewa Circle.
Mrs. Aycock was the widow of George Calhoun "Sonny" Aycock Sr. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on May 12, 1923, in Pinewood, she was a daughter of the late George Lawrence Griffin and Naomi Geddings Griffin. She was proud to be a member of the "Greatest Generation." She was born in the "Roaring 20s" and became a teenager during the Great Depression. She graduated from Pinewood High School, attended Winthrop College and received her degree from the University of South Carolina in elementary education. She taught at various public and private schools in Sumter County. Devotionals were the way she started her day at school and prayed that she would have an impact on the children's lives.
She was a former member of Pinewood United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher, pianist, organist and president of the Lizzie Griffin Afternoon Circle. Upon moving to Sumter, she became a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Wesley Fellowship Class. She was a charter member of the Pinewood American Legion Auxiliary for 56 years as well as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for more than 30 years. For many years, she volunteered at various nursing homes entertaining the residents with her piano music.
Her favorite hobbies included playing bridge and going to Carolina football games with her family and friends. She was a member of the Gamecock Club for 75 years. On Sept. 15, 2012, she was awarded "Legendary Fan of the Game," where she was recognized on the field and received a custom blazer and plaque.
She married her high school sweetheart, Sonny Aycock, during World War II, where she learned to value family, friends and faith.
Surviving are one son, George Calhoun Aycock Jr.; two daughters, Laura Aycock Morris (Steve) and Libby Aycock; six grandchildren, Anna Jones (Walker), Stephanie Covington (Matt), Wayne Morris (Ashley), Pam Miles (Randy), Trey Aycock (Danielle) and Ashley Stockton (Casey); 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, grandson, great-grandson, three brothers and two sisters.
Pallbearers will be Walker Jones, Matt Covington, Wayne Morris, Trey Aycock, Walker Jones III, Miller Jones, Matthew Covington and John Byrne.
Honorary pallbearers will be nephews of Mrs. Aycock.
Memorials may be made to the Pinewood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 203, Pinewood, SC 29125; to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150; or to Covenant Place, 2825 Carter Road, Sumter, SC 29150.
The family is grateful to the staffs of Covenant Place, MSA Home Health & Hospice, and Carolina Caregivers as well as Ann Dinkins and Mary McCray for the care and compassion they provided.
Online condolences may be made at www.sumterfunerals.com .
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.