Ruth Ragsdale Sitton - Easley
Ruth Ragsdale Sitton, 91, of Easley, SC died May 25, 2013 after a brief illness.
A newswoman and a high school teacher of many years, Mrs. Sitton was born in Easley on July 22, 1921, a daughter of the late
W. H. and Sallie Ragsdale. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, the late John D. Sitton. A graduate of Easley High School at age 15, where she was named class valedictorian, Mrs. Sitton attended Coker College for two years before transferring to the University of Georgia, where she earned degrees in journalism and education in 1941. Selected by the university's faculty as an outstanding journalism student, she was asked to write articles for the Athens, GA, daily newspaper while still a student.
In the 1950s, Mrs. Sitton worked as a correspondent for the Greenville News-Piedmont and for the Easley Progress as an editorial assistant and as news editor. Later she taught journalism, history and English at Easley and Dacusville High Schools.
Active in civic affairs, Mrs. Sitton was secretary of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Fort Prince George chapter, and an officer and longtime member of the Easley Woman's Club, and the Nosegay Garden Club, among other organizations.
A member of the First United Methodist Church of Easley where she taught Sunday school for many years, Mrs. Sitton also served as president of the Methodist Guild for Women.
A devout Christian, Mrs. Sitton showed sincere interest in and compassion for everyone she met.
She is survived by her five children: Dottie Sitton Ashley (Dr. Franklin Ashley) of Charleston, Betty Sitton of the home, James Sitton of Clemson, Dale Sitton Rogers (the Rev. Richard Rogers) of Roanoke Rapids, NC and John Sitton, Jr., of Easley. Mrs. Sitton also is survived by a brother, W. Jack Ragsdale of Easley, and by numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her sister, Marian R. Lanning, and brother, Walter Ragsdale.
Funeral services will be at 4:00 PM Monday, May 27th, at First United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown from 6:00 until 7:30 PM on Sunday, May 26th.
The family is at the residence.
Condolences may be expressed online at robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home?Downtown, which is assisting the family.