Annie Ruth Dutton Gilliam Lanier, age 76, of Anderson, SC, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Rainey Hospice House.

Born September 2, 1948, in Hartwell, GA, she was the daughter of the late Fletcher Dutton and Maebell Smith Dutton. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas "Sonny" Gilliam; daughter, Kim Smith; brothers, Leroy Dutton and Thomas Dutton; and brother-in-law, Wendell Rousey.

Ruth was a loving and fun spirited wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a devout Christian with a kind heart. She was a 40-year member of Burdine Road Church of God where she served as a Sunday School teacher, missionary, and had recently implemented a food ministry. A few of her favorite things were dirt track racing and Christmas. Ruth was always on the go and loved to work and spend time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Curtis Lanier; daughters, Tracie Bannister (Mike) and Tonia Gilliam; sister, Sara Rousey; grandchildren, Joshua Hamby (Lindsay), Heather Royster, Tara Logan (James), Katie Haygood (Cody), Cameron Smith, Daniel Bannister (Kristi), and Derek Bannister (Heather); great grandchildren, Alania, Alyssa, Jocelyn, Ayden, Josiah, Rhiley, Sadie Kate, Landen, Nevaeh, Rowan, Baby Capps, Cooper, and Kimberly; and great-great grandchild, Clayton.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home. Burial will follow at South Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 11:30 am. The family requests that everyone attending wear their favorite, fun Christmas sweater in Ruth's honor.

The family will be at the home of her daughter, Tracie Bannister, 428 Pea Creek Rd., Belton, SC.