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Obituary For Ruth Nesbitt
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC. Burial will be in the Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, SC.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 4:30p.m.- 6:30p.m. at The John Sinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC.
Ruth Elizabeth Pearson Nesbitt was born December 9, 1931, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and entered into eternal rest on October 20, 2025. She was predeceased by her adoring mother, Mrs. Mattie Woodruff Pearson, father, Mr. Tom Pearson, sister, Ms. Dorothy Mae Jackson, husband, Mr. Charles Nesbitt, as well as numerous first cousins, with whom she held a close and enduring bond.
Ruth began her life as a pupil at Bethlehem Community Center and Cumming Street School.
She was a 1948 graduate of Carver High School, where she played on the basketball team and explored her many curiosities as a member of the math, library, and French clubs. After high school, Ruth moved to New York City alongside her cousins and later shared fond memories of the years they lived in Harlem. After returning to Spartanburg, she wed Mr. Charles Edward Nesbitt in 1955, and to that union, they welcomed their daughter, Sharon. The family resided in Spartanburg’s “Hamburg” neighborhood, where Ruth lived until her passing.
Ruth had a lifelong devotion to faith and her church home. In her youth, she was a member of
Thompson Street Baptist Church and remained with the congregation when they later became Cornerstone Baptist Church. It was at Thompson Street that Ruth first discovered her talent and passion for singing and her love of gospel music. During her many years of service to Thompson Street and Cornerstone, she sang on the youth and adult choirs, directed the Senior Choir and the Men’s Chorus, performed with the Voices of Cornerstone Singers, and was known to frequently lend the beauty of her voice to an abundance of church celebrations,
programs, and memorial services. Ruth was also a co-founder of the New World Gospel Singers, alongside fellow Cornerstone members Mrs. Willie Mae Linder, Mrs. Rachel Shell, and Mr. Tommy Webster. Outside of her musical pursuits, she established the Miss Cornerstone Baptist Church Pageant, and dedicated time to the Thompson Street Sympathy Club, the
Cornerstone Baptist Church Mothers Board, and the Young at Heart Club. Ruth retired from S&S Manufacturing Company and J.F. Floyd Mortuary after thirty-five and twenty-five years of
service, respectively.
Ruth’s excitement for sports was nearly as earnest as the aforementioned. She was known to
spend weekends keeping up with the scoreboards of the Carolina Panthers, University of South
Carolina Gamecocks, or Los Angeles Lakers, and on Friday nights she could often be found
animating the stands of the Spartanburg High School football team, where she was a season
ticket holder.
Ruth leaves to mourn her passing and remember her long life her cherished and devoted
daughter, Ms. Sharon Lynn Nesbitt, of Spartanburg, SC, and her beloved and doting
granddaughter, Ms. Alexandra Elizabeth Adams, of New York, NY. Ruth also leaves behind a
sister-in-law, Mrs. Lula Nesbitt, nephew, Mr. Reginald Nesbitt, and several first cousins whom
she considered more like siblings, including Mrs. Virginia “Peggy” Miller, of Long Island City,
NY; Mrs. Betty Jean Smith, Mrs. Georgia Lee Richardson, Mrs. Diane Hollis, Mr. Ernest
Thompson, Mr. Franklin Woodruff, and Mr. Michael Woodruff, all of Spartanburg, SC. She is
also remembered by the many friends and family she inherited in her long life’s journey: Ms.
Tamara Irby, Ms. Carolyn Morris, Mrs. Marilyn Tyus, Ms. Priscilla Allen, Ms. Joicelyn Huff, Miss
Princess Huff, Ms. Clarissa Osbey, Miss Sequouyiah Durham, Ms. Rosa Bethea, Mrs. Peggy
Mallory, and so many others whom she loved and admired.
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Tamara Irby planted 5 trees in memory of Ruth Nesbitt . - October 24, 2025
Loretta R Whitmore sent Peace & Serenity Dishgarden for Ruth Nesbitt - October 24, 2025
John Benjamin sent Radiant Foliage Planter for Ruth Nesbitt - October 23, 2025
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Sharon, so sorry for your loss.Keep your Mom's memories alive in your heart.She is now resting in the arms of Jesus. Love, your Benedict classmate 78'.
Sharon, we offer our sincere condolences for the loss of your mother. Ms. Ruth was such a sweet person. I am glad that I was able to see her one last time, and she was as kind as I remembered. May your fond memories bring comfort to you, and may God's grace sustain you as you continue your journey through this chapter of life. Love and Stanley Jones, Sr.
Thank you Ruth, for being a wonderful neighbor and friend to the Tucker Purry family. My Prayers and Condolences go out to Sharon and her entire family at this time. We send you all much love. May God's Blessings cover you all
We send our love, Sharon and Alex, as you mourn the loss of your beloved mother and grandmother. I know you both cherished her, and the joy you brought to her life. May you feel the comfort of God's love. Love, Eric and LaDonna Meindl
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Servant if God we'll done, rest from thy love employ, the battle fought the victory won enter thy Master Joy!
To Sharon and family, you have our deepest sympathy for the loss of your mom, Ms. Ruth Nesbitt. She was one of the pillars of our neighborhood. She will never be forgotten by us. May she rest in peace. Quinn Clowney and the Young's family.
I will always remember Ms. Ruth to be a sweet, beautiful and gentle lady. We will continue to lift the family in prayer and may God bless each of you. Margarette Bell Miller
I will always remember Ms. Ruth to be a beautiful, kind and gentle lady! I will continue to keep the family in prayer and may God bless each of you. Margarette Bell Miller
Sharon and Alex, I loved our Ms Ruth. She was a wonderful friend and great person to turn to help build your faith in what a true friend and good person was about. We shared many great times talking and laughing. She has earned her rest and will be missed by many
Sending my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family Carletta Glenn and Earle family
Sharon and family you have my deepest sympathy during this time. My sister and I always thought so much of Mrs. Ruth. She was one of my mom's life long friends. Mrs. Ruth singing was like no other. She has left to sing in the heavenly choir.
Sabrina Watson Jackson
Bowie, Md.
Auntie....thank you for who you were to the family...thank you for all your help over the years....take a well earned rest....Prayers Up for Sharon,Alex and the rest of our family....you will be truly missed....Love You forever
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
