Mrs. Helen Ruth Parlier Boyte, 74-years-old, of 108 Partridge Lane, Anderson, SC passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at An-Med Health Medical Center in Anderson. One of four girls, Ruth had wonderfully close relationships with her sisters throughout her life. She was valedictorian at Beaver Creek High School and Appalachian State University, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees. During college, she and her sister Jan married twin brothers John and Jim. She married John on June 3, 1961, and they were married for nearly 54 years. Ruth dedicated her career to teaching at Anderson University for 36 years, influencing countless students both professionally and personally. Ruth and John raised their two sons to know and walk with Christ. Ruth always loved being close to her family, encouraging and loving them, feeding and serving them. She was always so proud of her grandchildren, loving nothing more than spending time with them and telling about their accomplishments. She and John loved their church family at Boulevard Baptist, where she served as a nursery director for many years and was very active with her Sunday School class. They enjoyed the Bible studies and prayer meetings, and Ruth's unwavering faith in God was evident in her words and actions toward family and friends. Through many health struggles in recent years, she knew the grace which the Lord showered upon her all of her days. Surviving Ruth is her mother, Paralee Parlier Baldwin; her sons: John Klenner Boyte, Jr. and wife Cheryl of Anderson, SC and David Boyte and wife Hadyn of Cary, NC; three sisters: Oretta Blevins of Lansing, NC, Janet Boyte of Carthage, NC, and Lynn Cox and husband Wayland of West Jefferson, NC; and six grandchildren: John K. Boyte, III (JJ), Casey, Caleb, Xiabe, Salem, and Cedar Boyte. Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Parlier, and her husband, John Klenner Boyte, Sr. A funeral service will be held at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, SC on Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 at 11:30am with Dr. Johnny McKinney officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The Boyte family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 from 10:30-11:30am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be directed to: Boulevard Baptist Church, 700 Boulevard Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or RUF at Anderson University, 103 Wiltshire Court, Anderson, SC 29621. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com The McDougald Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Anderson, SC Events Visitation Tuesday, October 27, 2015 10:30AM - 11:30AM Boulevard Baptist Church 700 Boulevard Anderson, SC 29621 Phone: 864-226-8693 Funeral Service Tuesday, October 27, 2015 11:30AM Boulevard Baptist Church 700 Boulevard Anderson, SC 29621 Phone: 864-226-8693 Final Resting Place Oaklawn Memorial Gardens 2323 Highway 81 North Anderson, SC 29621