Ruth Ellen Lancaster

Sister Ruth Ellen Lancaster, departed this earthly life on July 8, 2014 at Palmetto Heart Hospital in Columbia, S.C. Born on February 4, 1933, in Wedgefield, South Carolina, she was raised by the late Elizabeth Taylor Rhodes and Hezekiah Rhodes. Sister Lancaster was educated at St. Michaels School in Sumter, S.C. At an early age, she accepted Christ and joined Bethel AME Church in Wedgefield, SC and later became a Covenant Partner of Enon Missionary Baptist Church, where she was an active member of the Women's Ministry, Petals and Pearl and also an active member of Church School. She was united in holy matrimony on November 10, 1952 to the late John Lancaster, Sr. She was a wonderful and loving homemaker. Her life was a living example and inspiration to many. She loved gardening, fishing, baking, but most of all she loved to make you laugh. She was called "Grandma" by many. Her favorite scripture was Philippines 4:8, and she loved the song “Every Praise is to our God”. Sister Lancaster was also preceded in death by her biological parents, the late James and Maggie Robinson and Azalee Taylor; two brothers, Matthew and Thomas Robinson; two sisters, Katie Penson and Gloria Vaughn; two brothers-in-law, Peter and David Lancaster; five sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Susan Lancaster, Bertha Lee Pickney, Rosa Lee Clark and Mary Drayton. Those left to cherish her precious memories, are two daughters, Carrie Mae Lancaster, of Sumter, S.C. and Joann Brown of Columbia, S.C.; two sons, John Lancaster, Jr. and James Edward Lancaster, both of Wedgefield, S.C; one sister, Eleanor Robinson Goss of Sumter, SC; two brothers, James (Viola) Robinson of Glenburnie, Maryland, and Rev. James (Faye) Taylor, of Talladega, Alabama; eight grandchildren, Tony (Anita) Lancaster, Dawnjalice Brown, Varian Robinson, Donte Taylor, Briana (Russell) Whitaker, Jonathan Brown, McKenzie Lancaster and Ayinde Lancaster; two great-grandchildren, Xzavien and Tyreke Lancaster; one sister-in-law, Janie Lancaster of Charleston, S.C.; one godson, Sammie Oxendine; several special friends, Katie Conyers, Rosa Lee Ramsey, Priscilla Washington, her sisters and brothers in Christ from Bethel AME, her Enon Covenant Partners, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruth Ellen Lancaster

February 4, 1933 - July 8, 2014