Obituary for Ruth Singleton
Ruth Garden Singleton
April 21, 1941-October 24, 2022
Ruth Garden Singleton, 81, of Anderson, S.C., passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Monday October 24th, with her beloved Chihuahua, Gigi, on her lap.
She previously resided in Charlotte, N.C. and Greenville, S.C. before moving to Anderson in 1968.
Ruth was born April 21, 1941 in Spruce Pine, N.C. She was the fifth of seven children born to the late Silas Sam Garden and the late Mae Cooke Garden. Her family grew and raised much of their own food and she loved to tell the story of being flogged in the yard by a chicken as a child.
Ruth was one of the early local pioneers of women who rose to high-level management positions with large retail department store companies. She worked for the W.T. Grant company for over 20 years, having risen to the #2 position at the Anderson store at Watson Village, which was one of the largest stores in the company. She was one of the first women in the company to be offered her own store. Following Grant’s bankruptcy in 1973, she was immediately hired into J.C. Penney management at the new Anderson Mall store. After 23 years, she accepted an early retirement package offered senior management and relaxed for the first time in years. She took several classes and enjoyed her yard and pool. Opportunity knocked quickly, and Head Hunters for Hamrick’s Department Store came calling, and retirement ended with the Store Manager’s position at the store in Belvedere Plaza. After 10 years, she finally retired for good in 2009.
Ruth built her final home in the Village at Marchbanks in 2004 and joined the HOA Board of Directors several years later, serving as President for over 15 years.
She lost her partner of over 50 years, E.T. Herring, in February 2020.
She is survived by a sister, Jo Barksdale (Emerson) of Marion, N.C.; a brother, Charles Garden (Sharon) of Morganton, N.C.; and her son, David Singleton of both Atlanta and Anderson. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
There will be a Drop-In Celebration at the home (121 Elliott Circle, Anderson) on Sunday, December 4th between 3-5pm. Dress is casual with light refreshments and please bring your funny and unique stories with you. Parking will be available in #121,123, 140 driveways, and along the street.
Ruth was an animal lover and rescuer. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to her favorite Anderson animal charities: Anderson Voices for Animals and PAWS Animal Rescue.
April 21, 1941-October 24, 2022
Ruth Garden Singleton, 81, of Anderson, S.C., passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Monday October 24th, with her beloved Chihuahua, Gigi, on her lap.
She previously resided in Charlotte, N.C. and Greenville, S.C. before moving to Anderson in 1968.
Ruth was born April 21, 1941 in Spruce Pine, N.C. She was the fifth of seven children born to the late Silas Sam Garden and the late Mae Cooke Garden. Her family grew and raised much of their own food and she loved to tell the story of being flogged in the yard by a chicken as a child.
Ruth was one of the early local pioneers of women who rose to high-level management positions with large retail department store companies. She worked for the W.T. Grant company for over 20 years, having risen to the #2 position at the Anderson store at Watson Village, which was one of the largest stores in the company. She was one of the first women in the company to be offered her own store. Following Grant’s bankruptcy in 1973, she was immediately hired into J.C. Penney management at the new Anderson Mall store. After 23 years, she accepted an early retirement package offered senior management and relaxed for the first time in years. She took several classes and enjoyed her yard and pool. Opportunity knocked quickly, and Head Hunters for Hamrick’s Department Store came calling, and retirement ended with the Store Manager’s position at the store in Belvedere Plaza. After 10 years, she finally retired for good in 2009.
Ruth built her final home in the Village at Marchbanks in 2004 and joined the HOA Board of Directors several years later, serving as President for over 15 years.
She lost her partner of over 50 years, E.T. Herring, in February 2020.
She is survived by a sister, Jo Barksdale (Emerson) of Marion, N.C.; a brother, Charles Garden (Sharon) of Morganton, N.C.; and her son, David Singleton of both Atlanta and Anderson. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
There will be a Drop-In Celebration at the home (121 Elliott Circle, Anderson) on Sunday, December 4th between 3-5pm. Dress is casual with light refreshments and please bring your funny and unique stories with you. Parking will be available in #121,123, 140 driveways, and along the street.
Ruth was an animal lover and rescuer. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to her favorite Anderson animal charities: Anderson Voices for Animals and PAWS Animal Rescue.