RUTHY CHERRY OXNER's Obituary
WEST COLUMBIA, SC - Ruthy Jean Cherry Oxner went to her heavenly home on July 19, 2021, unexpectedly at 89 years of age. She was born in Roper Hospital on June 13, 1933, to Susie Jones Cherry Barker and Boyce H. Cherry. She lived in downtown Charleston until she was approximately 8 years of age. Her Mother and by then, Step-father, John Willis Barker, moved to Alabama then Perry, Georgia, and on to West Columbia, SC, in 1946, where Ruthy lived the rest of her life, and “she wouldn’t live anywhere else”!
Ruthy was married to her husband, Wally, for 54 years. She loved her family, her home, her friends. She was humble, always kind, and the most attentive, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, but was always led by God and her faith. Her family and children were top priorities. So, she chose to be a homemaker until her children were older. Then, she found a new love - cleaning new construction homes built by her husband, brother and many Columbia builders.
Ruthy was a member of Christ’s Sanctified Holy Church and loved her church family. Over the years, as she continued to live in West Columbia, she was so grateful. Ruthy never let aches, pains, falls, strokes, or anything get her down. She always bounced back, and due to her Faith in God, she was always upbeat and was motivated to endure everything to the end.
Ruthy was predeceased by her loving husband, George Waldo (Wally or GW) Oxner; Mother and Step-father, Susie Jones Barker and John Willis Barker; maternal Grandmother and Grandfather, Edward and Elizabeth Vest; sister, Virginia Barker Bagwell; and Aunt Lottie Vest Williams.
Ruthy, now in her heavenly home, leaves behind three children, Suzanne (Rick) Stello, George Wyman (Patricia) Oxner, and Vicky Jean Oxner; Brothers, Johnny Lee Barker and Boyce H. Cherry; Granddaughters, Cherry Lee (Andy) Dudney, Wendy Brown, and Dawn Cashett; Great-Grandsons, John Blake Oxner and William Chandler Lambert; nieces, Lisa (Ralph) Buffington, Cheri Blevins, Marion Cherry, and Von Dean Oxner (Howard) Parker; nephews, Ronald (Paula) Oxner and Johnny Lee Barker, Jr.; and her loving caregiver, Tanya Speaks.
Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC, and the family will host a visitation on Thursday, July 22, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Christ’s Sanctified Holy Church Campground in Perry, Georgia, with the Visitation beginning at 12 Noon followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Church Campground Cemetery immediately following the services.
The family of Ruthy Jean Oxner appreciates all of the loving and caring condolences from family and many friends. Remember Ruthy as you read these words that always finalized her prayer to God, “because we love you best of all….Amen”!
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