Annie (Ruth) Goodwin was born June 14, 1944, to the late Essie Warren and John Goodwin Sr.  One of eight siblings, Ruth attended and graduated from the historical Havre de Grace Consolidated School in Havre de Grace Maryland. Ruth worked for Frank Shoes in Aberdeen Maryland for several years and would ensure that her nieces and nephews had the latest Buster Brown shoes for school.  Ruth is mother to one son, Rodney Goodwin of Greenwood, South Carolina. Her desire was for him to grow up a southern gentleman and she allowed her Aunt Mary Magdelene Brown to facilitate the process.  Ruth was skilled in both cooking and sewing. She was often asked to cater events and parties. She was known for her delicious, deviled eggs and sweet potato pies and happily shared her recipes with those eager to learn.  In later years she would work with sewing patterns and construct homecoming and prom gowns for her nieces. Ruth was a great dancer and could cut a rug with the best of them, she also loved listening to and singing along to gospel hymns.

Ruth strongly believed in living life on her terms. On any given day she would show up on the doorstep of a relative or friend and stay for a while before venturing off to abide with another relative or friend. During her visits to Maryland, she would find her way to the casinos and return with stories of nothing but winning, she was certainly an optimist.  However, Ruth knew that blessings come from the Lord. She attended Helping Hands Ministry when in Maryland and Young's Chapel Baptist Church while in South Carolina.

In more recent years, her traveled slowed down and she was unable to take the train from South Carolina to Maryland alone. It was then that her son, Rodney would accompany her on her trips which became briefer. She was slowing down but refused to burden others with her worries or condition.  When asked how she was doing, her reply would be an astounding "Great." She simply refused to complain.  When she was no longer able to reside with or visit family, she took up residence in an assisted living facility in Ware Shoals, SC. Though it obvious that she missed being in the nucleus of the family setting, she found extended family in Wanda Thomas, Supervisor who affectionately claimed her as "grandmother" and cared for her in a loving manner until she was at last called home on the morning of Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Annie Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Maggie (Dank) Goodwin, three brothers, Mark (Ricky) Gilbert, Bruce (Butch) Goodwin, and John (June) Goodwin Jr.  She leaves to mourn her son Rodney Goodwin, Greenwood, SC, three sisters, Mattie L. Brown, Hodges, SC, Mary E. Goodwin-Brown, Aberdeen, MD and Barbara J. Stewart, Edgewood, MD, one brother Charles Gilbert, Greenwood, SC, one sister-in-law, Robbie Mae Goodwin, Rockhill, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 1 -6 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Parks Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Annie Ruth Goodwin will be held at 1100 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Mount Moriah Baptist Church with Apostle Alvin Dean officiating. Assisting will be Elder Jeffery M. Goodwin, Reverend Alice Morton Gaskin and Reverend LeShown Goodwin. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10:00 a.m.

Parks Funeral Home is assisting the Goodwin Family.