Funeral services for the late Mrs. Ruth Goldsmith Duckett will be held on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Lowndes Hill Baptist Church, 1516 Lowndes Hill Road, Greenville, SC. Mrs. Duckett will be placed in the sanctuary of the church, two hours before the service. Viewing for the public will be held on Sunday from 5:00- 7:00 pm at the funeral home. The family will greet friends between the hours of 6:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home. On November 2, 1921, God blessed Ulysses and Ellen Griffin of Greer, South Carolina with their fourth child and named her Ruth. After ninety-two years of a good life, Ruth quietly slipped into the loving arms of Jesus on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. Ruth received her early education in the public schools of Greenville, South Carolina. She attended Lowndes Hill School. Upon finishing her education, she was later employed by Carolina Blouse as a seamstress. Mama Ruth was a goddess seamstress, sewing clothing for her children and everyone else's. Creating fashion with flair was her forte. Before there was Vera Wang, there was Mama Ruth. In 1940, on the third Sunday in May, she married the love of her life, Leroy Duckett. They were married for seventy-one years. From this union, three beautiful children were born: Ulysses, Annie, and Sheneice. During the mid-70's, she and her husband established the Duckett Lane Apartments. More importantly, Ruth developed a loving relationship with the Lord early in life; she was a member of the Rock Hill Baptist Church and later joined Lowndes Hill Baptist Church. A faithful church worker, Ruth served on the Missionary Board and sang in the alto section of the Senior Choir where she also carried out duties as choir secretary. She loved to sing songs in church, throughout the house, and in her garden. Mama had two favorite songs in her spirit; they were "Where Could I Go" and "No Tears in Heaven." "Mama Ruth," as she is affectionately known, had a "green thumb" and loved using her growing hands to work in her garden. Her favorite flower was a rose, and she planted them everywhere. She placed flowers around every tree in her yard. Fostering her love of horticulture, she was a member of the 4-H Club and the Community Flower Club. She won First Place in the "Yard of the Year" Contest in the Piney Mountain Flower Club. Significantly, Mama Ruth's affection for her flower garden reflected in her spirit and personality. She was extremely meticulous and organized. She could be feisty at times but had a great sense of humor, too. She loved to make everyone laugh. Mama Ruth also loved talking about family, and if you were not related to her, she made you her relative before you left her presence. Mama Ruth always said, "Manners will take you a long way in life," "You reap what you sow, so sow good seeds," and "Be nice to everyone and always tell the truth." A devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, Mama Ruth leaves to cherish fond memories of her: daughters, Annie Ruth Kennedy (Samuel) Mauldin, SC and Sheneice Smith (William) Orangeburg, SC; her grandchildren: Frankie Duckett (Gwen), Ulysses Duckett, Jr. (Debbie), LeRoy Duckett Kennedy, Levetta Monique Duckett-Williams, Tanya Hattie Ruth Duckett, Ruth Dionne Kennedy Davis (Derrick), Adrienne Maria Smith; her great grandchildren: Kennedy Williams, Bryson Duckett, Danyelle Faith Duckett, Khari Janae Smith, Imani Sanaya Davis, Shawn Duckett, Christina Alexis Kennedy; great-great grandchildren Lyrik Duckett and Kamari Duckett; a brother-in-law, McKinney Duckett (Claudia), one-sister-in law, Mrs. Willisteen Duckett of Greenville, SC, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.