WALTERBORO : Mary Ruth Carson Craven, wife of the late Riddick Earl Craven, passed away in the early morning hours of Monday May 10, 2021 at the Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro.  She was 96.

Mrs. Craven was born November 13, 1924, a daughter of the late Joseph E. Carson and Mary J. Utsey Carson.  She was a lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church in Walterboro, where she taught Sunday School and was treasurer for thirty years.  She was a bookkeeper for Asten Hill for thirty-one years, retiring in 1990.  Mrs. Craven loved playing cards, her favorite game being "Skip Bo".  Her family was her cornerstone, and she was known far and wide as a devoted mother, grandmother, "Grammy".

She is survived by two daughters, Sandy Craven and Mary Jo Craven, and by two sisters, Adeline Carson Craven and Dell Carson McCraw.  There are five grandchildren: Tiwana Howell (Gary), Seth Hiott, Regan Hiott, Paige Hiers Gibbons (Jarrett) and Kelly Hiers.  There are also eight great- grandchildren, Gary Howell II, Ethan Hiott (Amanda), Kayla Howell Wimberly (Zach), Emily Beach Graham (Addison), Julia Hiott Solomon (Spencer), Alyssa Hiott, Sawyer Gibbons, and Reese Gibbons.  Mrs. Craven leaves behind four great-great-grandchildren: Lane Hiott, Magnolia Hiott, Dawson Graham and GrayleighAnne Graham. She is survived by her son-in-law, Riddick A. "Buddy" Connelly, Jr.

Mrs. Craven was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Craven Connelly, and by eight siblings:  Jimmy Carson, Aaron Carson, Annie Lou Carson Craven, Virginia Carson Craven, Joe Carson, Betty Carson Ginn, Lucille  Crosby and Buddy Carson.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, May 13, 2021 at 3:00 at Bethel Baptist Church in Walterboro. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 in the church sanctuary.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.