GRESHAM — Ruth Lydia Godbold Swintz, 87, died peacefully the afternoon of May 14 in the home she and her late husbnd, Horace Dayton Swintz, shared and loved for 57 years. Miss Ruth, as she was fondly called, was born March 15, 1922 in Marion County, a daughter of the late John Oscar and Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Williams Godbold and the daughter-in-law of the late Major Holland and Florie Richardson Swintz. She was predeceased by her son, James Dayton Swintz, a granddaughter, Anissa Swintz McNair, brothers, Oscar, Dalton, Travis, Hurbert, Vincent and Freddie Godbold and sisters, Inez Byrd and Nellie Newell. She is survived by, her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Fred Riales and daughter-in-law, Betty Swintz, all of Gresham; grandchildren, Stephanie (Kevin) Gatton, Lance (Lori) Robertson, all of Mt. Pleasant and Rebecca (Jacob) Arnette of Dillon; great grandchildren, Conor and Kellen Gatton, Cyan, Seth, Ryne and Sarai Gabrielle Robertson and Emma Grace Arnette; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and George Johnson of Mullins; a sister-in-law, Nella Rae Godbold of Nichols; as well as extended family and friends who considered her home, Swintz Haven, their home too. As a child she joined Pee Dee Baptist Church in Gresham. As an adult, she joined Soules Chapel Methodist Church in Gresham, eventually joining Central United Methodist Church in Brittons Neck. She was an active member serving in any capacity needed, such as pianist, Youth/Adult Sunday School teacher, and Lay Delegate to the State Conference of the United Methodist Church. In addition to being a homemaker, caregiver and gardener, she was a active member and leader of the local, county and state South Carolina Extension Homemakers Council. She served as State Chairman of Family Life in 1974, first Vice-president 1975-76 and State President 1978-80. She was named Master Farm Homemaker in 1967. She was the first woman to serve on the Trustee Board of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, from 1971-1996. She considered the cooperative and all those associated with it family. She retired, in 1987, as School Food Supervisor from Marion County School District #4. The family will receive friends Saturday, May 16, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at her home, Swintz Haven, 1203 Swintz Ct., Gresham. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 4:00 P.M. at Central United Methodist Church in Brittons Neck, with the Rev. Farrell Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Soules Chapel Cemetery in Gresham, directed by Smith-Collins Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Lance Robertson, Jacob Arnette, Kevin Gatton, George Johnson, Michael Godbold and Jim Boswell. Honorary pallbearers will be trustees and employees she served and worked with of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. Memorials may be made to Soules Chapel Cemetery Association, c/o Susan Riales, 1203 Swintz Ct., Greshan, S.C. 29546, Central United Methodist Church, c/o Vikki Cox, 208 Cox Rd., Brittons Neck, S.C. 29546 or to McLeod Hospice, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, S.C. 29502. Published in the Morning News on 5/16/2009 **************Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in the U.S. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlcntustrav00000002)