LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Sarah Ruth Craig Mahaffey, age 86, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025.  She was born March 29, 1938, in Lancaster, SC, daughter of the late James "Jim" William Craig and Ruby Pauline Dry Craig and was the wife of the late James "Jim" William Mahaffey. Mrs. Ruth enjoyed sewing, cooking, and going to the beach. She was a member of the Eastern Star. When she and Jim owned the racetrack, she ran the concession stand and everyone knew her as "Mama Ruth". Family was most important to her, and she loved them all dearly, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. Ruth is survived by five children, Mike Mahaffey and his wife, Cathy, John Mahaffey and his wife, Barbara, Lynn Whitaker and her husband, Johnny, Mark Mahaffey and his wife, Ava, and Brian Mahaffey; ten grandchildren, Felicia Mahaffey Dube, Carrie Bowers, Mathew Mahaffey, Luke Mahaffey, Robert Whitaker, Hayley Mahaffey, Kaylee Wilson, Sabrina Medlin, Jessie Baughn, and Becca Curry; twenty six great grandchildren, Zachary Justice, Brennan Dube, Parker Dube, Caroline Bowers, Grace Bowers, Bennie Bowers, Catylin Mahaffey, Gage Mahaffey, Lynsie Mahaffey, James Mahaffey, Carson Mahaffey, Hannah Whitaker, Raegan Whitaker, Bailey Whitaker, Anslee Whitaker, Noah Whitaker, Harlow Outen, Hazel Outen, Adelaide Wilson, Lucy Wilson, Jarrod Wilson, Cecilia Wilson, one on the way, Braelyn Medlin, Delaney Medlin, Everley Medlin, and Jackson Vaughn; brother, Wade Craig and his wife, Sandra; two sisters, Jane Catoe and Sadie Bozarth; and a large extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Mahaffey; grandson, Steve Whitaker; great grandsons, Anson Whitaker and Carter Dube; daughter-in-law, Sheila Mahaffey; her parents; and siblings, Arthur Craig, Billy Craig, Walter Craig, and Judy Hinson.

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Ruth will be 11:00 am Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Bethlehem Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Patrick Blackmon. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00- 11:00 am, one hour prior to the service, in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1841 N Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC 29720.