Lillie Ruth Edwards, a retired educator, entered her eternal home on February 7, 2023 after a brief illness. She was born March 9, 1941 in Cherokee County, South Carolina. She was the youngest daughter of the late Curtis Edwards, Sr. and the late Geneva Dawkins Edwards.

At an early age, Lillie Ruth dedicated her life to Christ. She joined Allen Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Gaffney, SC where she continued to serve until her passing. She was a Stewardess, Steward, Trustee, and a Sunday school teacher.

Lillie Ruth was a 1958 graduate of Granard High School in Gaffney, SC. She went on to further her education at Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics Education in May of 1963. She went on to earn her Master of Science Degree in Education from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lillie Ruth was a dedicated Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and a member of the Greenville (SC) Alumnae Chapter, Greenville County, SC.  She was also a member of the Cherokee County NAACP, a member of CHAPS- Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society and the Community First Organization. With a true Delta’s heart, she was a true public servant and activist for her community and its inhabitants.

Lillie Ruth dedicated her life and career as an educator in the South Carolina Public School System. In 1963, she began her career at Sterling High School in Greenville, SC as a math teacher. She retired from the classroom but never from teaching as she continued to use her knowledge to educate her family and friends. Even after retiring, Lillie Ruth returned to the classroom as an educator to continue to inspire generations of students.

Lillie Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers, James W. Edwards and Curtis Edwards, Jr. Also, by her grandnephew, Ellis Hawkins, II.

Loving memories will be cherished by: her sister, Mary Lucille Quince of Gaffney, SC and brother, Robert L. (Betty) Edwards of Glen Burnie, MD; an aunt, Ruby Nell Edwards, of Gaffney; five nieces and a nephew Karen (Bill) Degree of Gaffney, SC, Joycelyn (James III) Washington of Marion, SC, Vanessa Smalls of St. Stephens, SC, Lisa (Ellis) Hawkins of Blythewood, SC, Belinda Edwards of Odenton, MD; and Kurt (Nicole) Edwards of Newnan, Ga; grandnieces and grandnephews, Takera Degree, James Quintin and Jalisa Washington, Maressa and Elexis Hawkins, Olivia and Sophia Edwards, Tavian Smalls and Elijah and James Edwards; and a very special great-grandnephew, Landon Dreher; sister-in-law, Sarah Peeler Edwards of Gaffney, SC; three godsons, Furman Jackson, Hubert Roland White, II and Sammie Dotson; a special cousin, Anita Jefferies,  and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., in Allen Temple C.M.E. Church with The Rev. Alvin Stafford officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary