Ruth Parler Goettee, widow of Bernard O. Goettee, died Friday, October 26, 2012 in Pawleys Island. They were married August 10, 1936.

Born September 16, 1916 in Harleyville, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Carlos Clifton "C.C." and Camille Dantzler Parler.

Attending both Columbia College and the University of South Carolina, Mrs. Goettee worked for the State of South Carolina for 36 years where she worked for the S.C. Unemployment Compensation Commission, S.C. Department of Agriculture and the S.C. State Board of Health. She was Vice President of the S.C. State Employees Association; President of the S.C. Public Health Association; Recipient of the S.C State Employees Association Outstanding Employee Award and Outstanding Government Employee of the Year Award.

In addition, she was a Charter Member of both Trenholm Road United Methodist Church and the Junior Women's Club of Columbia. Mrs. Goettee was a longtime member of Shandon United Methodist Church, a longtime donor to the University of South Carolina Athletics Department and was an avid Gamecock football and basketball fan.

Surviving are nieces, Camille Bradford Hugg, Lewis Ruth McIntyre, Kathy Trussell, Pat Wyman, Martha Johnson; nephews, Jimmy Duffy, Billy Bradford, Ed "Bubba" Parler, Dan Parler; great-nephew, Ed Parler, III; many great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as longtime caregiver and friend, Sheila Vaughn.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Helen P. Bradford, Kathleen P. Duffy, Dorelle P. Henderson; brothers, Marion Parler, J.D. Parler, Edward Parler and Carlisle Parler.

Graveside service for Mrs. Goettee will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to the Carolina Children's Home, PO Box 4465, Columbia, SC 29204