Ruth Hakes

Growing up on the family’s NY farm, Ruth attended a one room elementary schoolhouse, walked to church in the snow, finished high school in Corning, NY, and then became an employee of the local Corning newspaper. Sometime thereafter, Ruth moved to Canada and completed a 3-year diploma course in Bible at the London Ontario Bible Institute. Returning to New York, Ruth attended Business School, participated in the Bible Club Movement as a Bible Club Missionary in NY State for approximately 2 years, and worked at Cornell University Business School in Ithaca, NY.

Miss Hakes moved to SC in 1973 to live in the Single Women’s Staff and Faculty Housing at Columbia Bible College while she worked on campus for 20 years. Her jobs included clerical work in the Business Office, Graduate School Admissions Office, and Graduate Student Records Office. In 1975, she and her dearest CBC friend, Helen Fahringer, moved off-campus and remained roommates for the next 45 years. Ruth retired in 1993, which was the year before Columbia Bible College changed its name to Columbia International University.

Ruth and Helen joined Columbia Evangelical Church in 1989 where they both faithfully served on the Missions Team. Ruth dearly loved her Savior Jesus Christ, her church family, sewing for herself and others, reading, cooking, and participating in activities with Helen, who survives her.

Ruth Elizabeth Hakes was the daughter of the late Frank and Adelia Kennedy Hakes of NY. Ruth’s brother, James, preceded her in death, as well as her parents.

A Memorial Service will be held for Ruth on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 2:00 pm at Southland Memorial Gardens, West Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to Columbia Evangelical Church at 1013 Barnwell St., Columbia, SC 29201.