S. Ruth Sexton, 98, of Little Mountain, died Thursday, January 10, 2019. Born February 25, 1920, in Marianna, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Warren Lee Cloud and Annie Mae Spurlock Cloud. Mrs. Sexton was her family matriarch and a woman of deep Christian faith. She was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Panama City, FL, where she previously volunteered as the church secretary for more than 40 years. While living in Little Mountain, SC, with her daughter, Mrs. Sexton attended Eau Claire Baptist Church in Columbia.

Survivors include her children, Alfred L. Sexton (Wyvon) of Lynn Haven, FL, S. Gwendolyn Stanford (Wayne) of Panama City, FL, F. Ray Sexton of White Pine, TN, and Sharon M. Derrick (Joe) of Little Mountain, SC. She is also survived by her sister, Louise Hicks of Tallahassee, FL; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and six great great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Sexton was preceded in death by her husband, Elijah Marion Sexton; son; Marion Coleman Sexton; and many siblings.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of The Heritage at Lowman Home and Compassionate Care Hospice for their care of Mrs. Sexton.

The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 o'clock Saturday afternoon, January 12th at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia.

A funeral service will be held in Panama City, Florida, directed by Wilson Funeral Home, 214 Airport Rd, Panama City, FL 32405.

Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, is assisting the family.