Obituary of Ruth Lynn Ellison

On Friday, January 6 Ruth Lynn Nichols (Kinney, Ellison) of Summerville, SC died at the age of 86 of natural causes.  

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. at Park Circle Presbyterian Church Wednesday, January 11, 2023. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.  

Ruth was born to Annie Laurie Nichols and Hal Carter Nichols, Sr. in Knoxville, Tennessee.  She was one of six children who have predeceased her in this life.  

Ruth was a soda jerk as a teen, then a phone operator and then served her country in the United States Army for almost six years.  After that, she worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and ultimately became the Payroll Supervisor there.  

She met and married John Kinney while in the Army.  The marriage to John Kinney gave her the gifts of James and Sandra Kinney (now Sparks).

Later, divorced, Ruth met Frank Ellison who had a son, Barry and a daughter, Dawn from a previous marriage.  Frank was a widower.  

Soon after, Ruth and Frank had their final child, Pearl Anne.

After becoming a widow herself, and having an early retirement, Ruth became slightly down and decided to help others.  She volunteered at “My Sisters House” as well as “Lutheran Social Services.  

All through her life, she and her family attended and supported financially and spiritually to Park Circle Presbyterian Church.  Ruth sang in the choir for most of her life after age 13.  She was a soprano.  She loved to sing.  Ruth also served the church as an Elder for many years and chaired many different committees in the church.  She attended several Presbytery meetings.  She headed up and arranged the 50th Anniversary of Park Circle Church.  

Although she was a very busy lady, Ruth never failed to keep her family first in her life.  We would gather at her house to do various yard chores, especially gardening with her.  

Surviving Ruth are all five of her children: James Kinney and Beverly Parker and his children: Navy Chief, Michael Kinney, and Jessica Kinney.  Sandra (Kinney) Sparks and Charles Sparks and their children, Elizabeth and Lauren as well as Lauren’s daughter, Aislynn.  Barry and Brenda Ellison and their children Ryan Ellison with his wife, Tasha, and their children: Ava, Bree and Olivia Ellison.  Dana (Ellison) Harper and Ricky Harper and their children: Zachary and Lucas; Dawn (Ellison) Smith and Wayne Smith and their son, Ian Smith.  Pearl Anne (Ellison) Gaudi and Wade Gaudi and their children, Lane, Turner and Daisy Gaudi.  

Ruth leaves behind five children, ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  

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