Ruth Wilson Tidwell

Mrs. Ruth Ardella Wilson Tidwell of Irmo, SC, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026 at the age of 73 in the presence of her family with her beloved husband by her side. She was born on February 3, 1953 to Mr. Sydney Francis Wilson, Sr. and Mrs. Ruth Isabell Tinsley Wilson in Columbia, SC. After graduating from Eau Claire High School in 1971, she married the love of her life, David Joe Tidwell, on June 7, 1971, and together they raised two daughters. Ruth first met David when she was enrolled in a roller-skating class at the age of 12, where he was her skating instructor. She had an immediate “crush” on him, and they eventually became not only skating partners who competed in many regional competitions, but eventually they became partners in life. Ruth was affectionately known as “Choo-Choo” or “Chooch” by family and close friends. This was a nickname she was given by her dad when she was just a small child. As the story goes, her dad had taken her down by the train tracks to wave at the train as it went by and she began sneezing, so he called her his little “Choo-Choo”… which stuck as a lifelong nickname and was often shortened to “Chooch”.

Ruth began her professional career as a secretary at the Bankers Trust Tower in downtown Columbia in the 1970s. As her administrative career advanced, she went on to serve in many capacities for the SC House of Representatives, including as Administrative Assistant for Representative T.W. Edwards, Senator Lindsey Graham when he served in the SC House of Representatives, and ultimately for (then) Representative Jim Hodges who went on to become Governor of SC. Ruth spent several decades of service to the state of SC in a professional capacity and was officially recognized March 14, 2006 during the 116th session of the South Carolina General Assembly for her many years of dedication to the state. We encourage you to click here for viewing Bill 4795. She was a proud South Carolinian.

Ruth enjoyed doing puzzles, playing games, shopping for clothes and shoes, and participating in her daughters’ childhood interests of modeling, dance, singing, pageants and plays, as well as going to watch her husband perform in the National Guard Band and his beach music band, “Shoreline". She had a keen eye for fashion and decor - always keeping a neat and tidy home. She loved dogs, horses, the beach - especially Charleston, and enjoyed traveling. She was very creative and a perfectionist who was extremely organized, being known for her meticulous attention to detail - which was a tremendous asset to her during her career. She enjoyed making friends and was always eager to be helpful in any situation. She loved her family and her job at the SC House of Representatives. Ruth was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and put her trust in Jesus Christ for her eternal salvation.

Ruth was predeceased by her father, Sydney F. Wilson, Sr. and her mother, Ruth T. Wilson. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, David, who thought she was “the most beautiful girl in the world!” and never left her side, her daughters, Lisa T. Kraus (Robert) and Tracy T. Folks (Richard), six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, her brother Sydney F. (“Jack”) Wilson, Jr. (Wendy), her sister, Debbie W. Griffin, and her three fur-baby doodles, Rylen, Darcy & Zander along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

Visitation will be held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 11:00 am, immediately followed by a funeral service at 12:00 noon, with 2:00 pm burial at Ft. Jackson Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family and will announce further plans.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Ruth’s memory to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 6952 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212; or to Agape Hospice House of Lexington, 128 Library Hill Lane, Lexington, 29072; or the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011Washington, DC 20090.