Ruth Ann Whitman

Ruth Ann Whitman (née Jones) of Chester, South Carolina passed peacefully in hospice care on Monday July 24th, 2023. Her memorial Service will be held at the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church on July 29 with a visitation starting at 11:00 AM and the Memorial Service to follow at noon. Daughter of the late Robert Jefferson and India Ann Jones (née Noble) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ruth was born in Monterey Park, California. She was an amazing wife, mother, mother-in-law, and Granny Ruth. She married her husband Walter Ray Whitman in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1969 and soon moved to St. Petersburg, Florida for better business opportunities and their budding family. In 1978, Ruth moved with Walter Ray and their son Walter Donald to Chester, South Carolina where she began working for Citizens & Southern Bank as a teller. She would eventually retire many years later with the same bank at the same branch under the new name of First Citizens Bank as a Personal Banker. Her love for people and life found the perfect opportunity for her to begin serving the community that she loved. Over the years, Ruth would serve as the President of The Friends of the Animals, a columnist with the Chester News & Reporter, the President of the Chester Rotary Club, and a nine time Paul Harris Fellow recipient, as well as many other service-oriented organizations in Chester County. She was an active member of the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir. Her greatest love was the work that she performed with Friends of the Animals. Ruth is survived by her husband Walter Ray Whitman, a son Walter Donald Whitman, a daughter-in-law Stacey Whitman (née Williams,) three grandchildren, Savanna, Hunter, and Caroline Whitman, two nieces, Anne Helou (née Jones) and Sara Jones, and her faithful canine companion Buddy Whitman. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Allen Jones of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. To her many friends and all who knew her, cared for her, checked on her, and tended to her during her final days, we can never say thank you enough. We ask that you remember her infectious smile, her gracious and loving heart and most importantly, the spark she had for life, tea parties, Jimmy Buffet, and Willie Nelson. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, PO Box 174 Chester, SC 29706 Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com