Ms. Ruth Elnora Pelzer

Ruth Elnora Washington Pelzer, the seventh child of ten children, born to Peter Washington, Sr. and Mollie Williams Washington in Columbia, South Carolina. A childhood filled with family and adventures in the Bluff Road/Atlas Road area, she was taught the value of working hard and loving each other.  Ruth gained her formal education in the schools of Richland One School District.

As time moved on, she took her love of family to another level.  She formed her own family within holy matrimony to James Charles Pelzer Sr. in 1958.  The love she displayed to her children Doris, James Jr., and Charlene, reflected the "Jesus" in her heart. She worked very hard for over thirty years, even after the passing of her husband, to keep the bonds of her family intact.  The winds would blow and the storms would come, but Ruth Pelzer never gave up on her journey.  Many times, she was amazed by God's Faithfulness to her on her journey.  How many times would I hear her say, "God has really been good to me!!!"

Her love of family led her to know love and devotion for her church.  "Mother Pelzer" began her Christian journey at The Mount Calvary Baptist Church. She later attended Brown Chapel AME, and Union Baptist.  In her most recent years Mother Pelzer served on the Mother's Board of The New Beginnings Christian Outreach Ministry with Pastor LeEunice Lorick.

We know the life of Ruth as a sister, mother, church member, and friend, but we can only deem you as a "beloved' if she shared something from the pots of her magical kitchen.  Many days the pots would rattle and the oven simmer, but there was no food or phone when it came to her Atlanta Braves, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.

Mother Pelzer was preceded in death by her husband, James;  her daughter, Doris Baker; her Son, James Jr.; siblings: Clarence Jr., Peter Jr., Thomas, James, Cornell, and Viola Washington, and Lillie Mae Goodwin.

Left to honor her precious memories is her daughter, Charlene Pelzer (Curtis) Maffett; grandsons, Marcus A. (Vena) Baker, Rafael E. (Jeanette) Baker, James T. (Renee) and Devin Maffett, great-grandchildren,  James T. Brown, III, Joshua J. Brown, Desiree Michelle Baker, and Brianna Coretta Baker; sisters, Martha Rivers, and Mary Washington; family in love,  Evette Salters, The Belser's Family, The Carver's Family, and Gwen and Johnnie Salters; and host of close relatives, church family and caring friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to great-grandchildren:  Future Scholar South Carolina's 529 Savings Plan.

If you wishes to make an eGift donation.  Please email  your request to Charlene Pelzer Maffett 
pelmaf13@gmail.com

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