Obituary of Mary Ruth Folsom Crawford

OBITUARY – Mary Ruth Folsom Crawford –Lake Murray – A Celebration of Life service for Mary Ruth Folsom Crawford, 80, of Lake Murray, will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Mausoleum Chapel of Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington. Reverend Dr. Jeri Perkins will officiate.

Mary Ruth passed away May 31, 2021. She was born in Flat Creek, SC and grew up in Jonesville, SC. She was a daughter of the late Jesse Lee Folsom and Evelyn Atkinson Folsom. Once she became a grandmother in 1994, Mary Ruth was called "Gaga" by her family. She was a trailblazer for women in business - starting in banking and finishing with a successful 33-year career in real estate with Gordon and Gallup and Coldwell Banker.  Gaga played basketball in high school and was a devoted women's basketball fan until the end. She loved gardening, cooking for her family, and traveling the world. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family at her home on Lake Murray, where she loved hosting birthday and graduation parties, bridesmaid luncheons, family reunions, Christmas dinner, and Thanksgiving. She regularly turned down dinners to fancy restaurants if eating together at home was feasible. She loved trying out new recipes as well as making sure the old favorites were present. Gaga gave all new meaning to the phrase "green thumb" - her touch made everything prosper. She grew herbs, perennials, vegetables and shared her bounty with anyone who asked.  

Gaga adored her grandchildren and made them the highest priority in her life. Her greatest gift was making each grandchild feel special. Some of her last words were, "Our family is SUPER." She truly loved and was devoted to every family member, and her dying wish was for them to remain close.

Mary Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Robert Harold Crawford; sons, Robert Harold Crawford, Jr. (Grace) of Mt. Pleasant, Cameron Folsom Crawford (Betsy) of Lexington; grandchildren, Libby Crawford Satterfield (James Edward) of Lexington, Caroline Crawford Patterson (John) of Charlotte, Margaret Rose Crawford of Mt. Pleasant, Cameron F. Crawford, Jr. of West Columbia, Sara Fife Crawford of Mt. Pleasant, Claire Anne Crawford of Mt. Pleasant; sisters, Brenda Folsom Kinlaw of Boiling Springs, Deloris Folsom Farr of West Columbia. Mary Ruth was predeceased by her parents.