COLUMBIA, SC - Ruth, age 88, passed away November 17, 2018. She was born May 4, 1930 in Bartles, Kentucky, to Walter and Jessie (McCoy) Gerkins. She attended the Kentucky Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Louisville, KY. Ruth was employed by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health as a nurse, and later as a nurse supervisor. On August 6, 1955 she married Donald Thacker.
She is survived by her children, Phillip Thacker of Columbia, daughter, Molly McGuire (Brian) of Brentwood, TN; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother, William F. Gerkins of Brandenburg, Kentucky. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Thacker, and her daughter, Sara Hancock.
One of her fondest memories was working on the family farm with her mother. She loved to garden. She was a volunteer for Hospice, where memorial contributions may be made. Ruth was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, a church community she loved. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Hayward St., Columbia.
