Ruth Underwood of Rock Hill, South Carolina, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025, at home with her children by her side.
Born May 7, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Lonnie Edward and Bessie Mae McCraven Key. She was preceded in death by her husband, G.C. “Bud” Underwood, sister Ann Arledge, and brothers John Kee and William Kee.
She is survived by her children, Larry Underwood of Rock Hill, Donna Abercrombie (Stoney) of Anderson, South Carolina, and Kimberly Underwood of Rock Hill; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her brother Richard Kee of Panama City, Florida.
She was a graduate of Rock Hill High School, attended the Bible Training School & College in Sevierville, Tennessee, and was a graduate of The College of Commerce in Rock Hill.
Ruth was a member of Garden Sanctuary Church of God for eighty years, where she served as adult Sunday School teacher, choir member, church historian, and local missions representative. She was always available to serve in any capacity when a need arose.
Her career spanned fifty years in the textile industry. She was a Certified Professional Secretary to executives with M. Lowenstein & Sons and Springs Industries. At the time of her retirement, she worked at Springs Creative Products.
She was an avid reader who enjoyed her library book clubs. Her family and friends enjoyed the benefits of her sewing expertise and wonderful cooking.
In her early 70s, prior to retirement, she was able to begin fulfillment of a life-long calling as a lay missionary with Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM), which was founded in 1986. She made more than a dozen trips to countries in Central America, South America, Africa, and Europe. In 2019, she was recognized for eighteen continuous years of dedicated service on the VIMM Board of Directors.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1 at Garden Sanctuary Church of God in Rock Hill, 831 Cedar Street, Rock Hill, SC, 29730. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
VIMM
Ruth Underwood Wall of Honor Scholarship
265 South Cove Road
Seneca, SC 29672
Condolences may be made to the family at greenefuneralhome.net.