Ruby Simms Obituary

SIMMS, Ruby SUMMERTON Ruby Elizabeth Martin Simms, 89, died Saturday, September 8, 2007, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital in Manning after a long illness. Born June 23, 1918, in Rutherfordton, NC, she was the daughter of the late Abner Grady Martin and Leo Thorne Martin. Mrs. Simms was a former resident of Greenville, and spent her last sixty years in Summerton, a place she loved and where she had many friends. She had retired after more than thirty years as an accountant and office manager at Elliott Lumber Company and Elliott Sawmilling Company. She was a long-time member of St. Matthias Episcopal church, with much involvement in fundraising for the Bazaar, the Oyster Roast, and other activities of the Episcopal Church Women. She enjoyed her membership in the Pink Dogwood Garden Club. For many years she was involved in the Sumter County Concert Series. An active Republican, Mrs. Simms served for many years as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Clarendon County Republican Party, was on numerous occasions elected as a delegate to the State Republican Convention, and in 1998 was honored for her many years of dedicated service. In addition she enjoyed membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and the William Gilmore Simms Society. Mrs. Simms is survived by her daughters, Betty Simms Hise of Jackson, MS, and Anne Simms Pincus of New Orleans, LA, to whom she was deeply devoted and whose devotion to her was beyond measure. Other survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Carlton Martin of Charlotte, NC; her sons-in-law, Daniel Hise and Ronald Pincus; four grandchildren, Rivers Hise Trahant of Mandeville, LA, Simms Hise of Grafton, MA, Alexander Pincus and Miles Pincus of New York, NY; four great grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their gratitude to her beloved nurse, Dorothy Huggins, for her dedication, care and companionship. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 15, 2007, at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Summerton, with the Reverend David W. T. Thurlow officiating. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the cemetery of the Church of the Holy Apostles Episcopal, 9457 Patterson Street, Barnwell. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Saturday in the Parish Hall of St. Matthias Episcopal, 9 S. Duke Street, Summerton. Memorials may be made to either St. Matthias Episcopal Montessori Preschool, Summerton, SC 29148, or the William Gilmore Simms Chair of American Letters, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. STEPHENS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements. (803) 435-2179. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.