Obituary of Ruthy Oxner

Ruthy Jean Cherry Oxner, 89, went to her heavenly home on July 19, 2021, unexpectedly. She was born in Roper Hospital on June 13, 1933 to Susie Jones Cherry Barker and Boyce H. Cherry. She lived in downtown Charleston until she was approximately 8 years of age. Her mother and by then, stepfather, John Willis Barker, moved to AL, then Perry, GA, and on to West Columbia, SC in 1946, where Ruthy lived the rest of her life and “she wouldn’t live anywhere else”!

Ruthy was married to her husband, Wally, for 54 years. She loved her family, her home, her friends. She was humble, always kind, and the most attentive, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, but was always led by God and her faith. Her family and children were top priorities. So, she chose to be a homemaker until her children were older. Then, she found a new love - cleaning new construction homes built by her husband, brother and many Columbia builders.

Ruthy was a member of Christ Sanctified Holy Church and loved her church family. Over the years, as she continued to live in West Columbia, she was so grateful. Ruthy never let aches, pains, falls, strokes, or anything get her down. She always bounced back and due to her Faith in God, she was always upbeat and was motivated to endure everything to the end.

Ruthy was predeceased by her loving husband, George Waldo (Wally or GW) Oxner; mother and stepfather, Susie Jones Barker and John Willis Barker; maternal grandmother and grandfather, Edward and Elizabeth Vest; sister, Virginia Barker Bagwell; and aunt, Lottie Vest Williams.

Ruthy, now in her heavenly home, leaves behind three children; Suzanne (Rick) Stello, George Wyman (Patricia) Oxner, and Vicky Jean Oxner; brothers, Johnny Lee Barker and Boyce H. Cherry; granddaughters, Cherry Lee (Andy) Dudney, Wendy Brown and Dawn Cashett; great-grandsons, John Blake Oxner and William Chandler Lambert; nieces, Lisa (Ralph) Buffington, Cheri Blevins, Marion Cherry & Von Dean Oxner (Howard) Parker; nephews, Ronald (Paula) Oxner and Johnny Lee Barker, Jr.; and her loving caregiver, Tonya Speaks.

Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Rd., Lexington SC and the family will host a visitation on Thursday, July 22, 2021 between 4:00-6:00pm. The funeral and burial will be held at Christ Sanctified Holy Church, Perry, GA on Saturday, July 24,2021. Visitation will be held at 12:00pm, followed by the service at 1:00pm and burial on the church grounds.

The family of Ruthy Jean Oxner appreciates all of the loving and caring condolences from family and many friends. Remember Ruthy as you read these words that always finalized her prayer to God, “because we love you best of all….Amen”!