Ruth Elaise Singleton

Our Heavenly Father, who is perfect in all actions, called Ruth Elaise Singleton to his everlasting home on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Riverside Regional Medical Center, after a sudden illness.

At an early age, she joined Mt. Rona Baptist Church in Effingham, SC, where she was active with Sunday School and a member of the Junior Choir.  After moving to New York, she attended Allen AME Church, Mt. Carmel AME of New Rochelle, and Calvary Baptist Church in Bronx, NY.  Upon moving to Virginia, Ruth joined hands in fellowship with Colossian Baptist Church.  At Colossian, she taught the Junior Sunday School Class for many years, Summer Vacation Bible School,  was a Member of the Priscilla Missionary Ministry where she served as former Vice President, and was a member of the Midday Bible Study until her death.

She received her early education at Willow Creek and Pamplico Elementary Schools.  She was a 1964 graduate of Gibbs HS, Pamplico, SC. She received her BS Degree from Morris College, Sumter, SC; and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education/English Miner at Herbert H. Lehman College, Bronx, NY; along with Head Start Training at the University of Gainesville, FL. She taught at Pamplico Head Start, as a head teacher at Cumberland, C.S./02 Public School; Bronx, NY; and retired from Carver Elementary School. Newport News, VA.

Ruth enjoyed shopping, and watching her soap operas, old westerns, and Tyler Perry shows and movies.  She was always the life of the party, a charismatic spirit, and acted as a spokesperson for many family events.  She lived a full life of joy, laughter, and fun.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Joseph E. Douglas; her guardian parents, Leona and John Gary; three brothers, John Douglas, Joseph Douglas, and Luther Douglas; and three sisters, Betty Kearse, Gertrude Wilson, and Felicia Cain.

To mourn her loss and cherish her memories are her beloved husband, Robert “Bobby” Singleton; two stepsons, Robert Singleton Jr. and Mark Singleton; siblings, Allen Douglas (Shirley) of Middletown, CT, Carolyn Parham of Newark, DE, Gwendolyn Wright (Victor) of Tampa, FL, Patricia Davis (Maurice) of Charlotte, NC,  Helen Douglas and Frances Douglas, both of Washington, DC; two goddaughters, Erika Cain and Melissa Wright; special niece, Allison Parham; special nephew, Cedric Douglas; loving cousin, James T. Singleton; and a devoted family friend, Sherby Wilks of Newport News, VA; and she was loved by a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her dearly.

A service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Colossion Baptist Church. Mrs. Singleton may be viewed in the church on Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at a later date in Florence Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum, Florence, SC

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com and Ideal Funeral Parlor, Florence, South Carolina

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