Emma Ruth Witherspoon

Emma Ruth Witherspoon entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at her home in Sumter, South Carolina. . . Ruth was born in 1933 in Manning, South Carolina. She was the second of ten children born to the late James Ragin and Marie Servance-Ragin. She attended Manning High School and later continued her education and career in Stamford, CT. In Stamford, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at the Courtland Gardens Skilled Nursing Facility until her retirement. After which she returned to South Carolina and settled in Sumter. Ruth was a devout woman of Faith. She became a lifelong member of Grace Cathedral Ministries, and served in many capacities. She loved the Lord and was known as a prayer warrior. She was chosen and was honored by her church family as the “Mother of the Church” for many years. When she wasn’t at her home church,she often fellowshipped with her brother, Pastor Julius C. Ragin, at New Birth (COGIC) in Sumter. Ruth will always be remembered for being kind-hearted and genuine. She loved helping others, cooking meals, visiting friends and family, and for always putting others first. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She will be sadly missed by the many people she helped and those whose lives she touched. In addition to her parents and husband John Witherspoon of 66 years, she was preceded in death also by her sisters; Dorethea Dingle of Newark, NJ., Annie Sease of Norwalk, CT., Willer Dean Ragin of New Haven, CT., and Elizabeth Clark of Stamford, CT. Ruth leaves to cherish precious memories her children : Ola Jean (Eden) Grandison, Norwalk CT, Ruth A. Nichols, Sumter, SC, Diane (Nat) Booker and Valerie Smith all of Stamford, CT, Runette (James) Adams, Tampa, FL, and Lynette (Greg) Brayboy, Norwalk, CT, Jonathan (Mona) Witherspoon, Stamford, CT, Carl Witherspoon and Austin Blythe of Asheville, NC; 22, grandchildren; 19, great-grandchildren ; 1 great-great grandchild; siblings: Rev. Julius (Dorothy) Ragin, Sumter, SC, Elder, Jay (Amy) Ragin, Bridgeport, CT, Thelma Williams and Betty Godfrey of Norwalk CT, Shirley Douglas, Middletown, NY; other in-laws, Ethel Cobin and Dorothy Witherspoon and a host of other relatives and dear and friends.

Emma Ruth Witherspoon

March 26, 1933 - July 30, 2019