Mrs. William Herman Rauh (Emma Ruth) passed away October 2, 2011 after an extended illness. Her husband, Captain William Herman Rauh, a daughter, Dorothy Lee Rauh and her parents, Roger and Rebecca Critcher, pre-deceased Mrs. Rauh. She was a woman of great faith in her belief in God, Christ, and her eternal life. Her son and daughter-in-law were holding her hands as Mrs. Rauh entered a greater, more beautiful life with those that had gone before and with Christ and her husband welcoming her with "well done thy good and faithful servant". While married, she traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East and Far East, with her husband. Ruth grew up in Florence SC and returned in the early 50's after her husband was killed in a plane crash. Mrs. Rauh held various employment positions during her employment years. She was Secretary to the President of Chapin Company in Myrtle Beach in the early 40's. While living in Myrtle Beach, she was voted a runner-up for "Miss Myrtle Beach". She also was Administrative Assistant for Dr. Mary King and Dr. Louise Scott at Florence School District One and held a similar position at Pee Dee Education Center. She also served as Secretary to the Minister of Education at First Baptist Church for many years. In the fifties, while raising her son, she took part in many school and church volunteer positions. She served as local PTA President and State PTA Secretary. She was also a three term President of the Women's Missionary Society at First Baptist Church, where she was a member for 80 years. Mrs. Rauh was recently honored by the First Baptist Church for her years of dedication. She also served as Secretary for the state WMU. She served on several committees at First Baptist Church throughout the years. She taught Sunday School for over 30 years and was Director of a Training Union Department. Mrs. Rauh was instrumental in coordinating the first inter-denominational meeting of women in Florence. This conference brought women from across the state from all faiths. Mrs. Rauh served on various state and national committees and boards. "Emma Ruth" was a member of several literary societies and book clubs in the 50's and 60's in the Florence area. She was also a member of garden clubs in the Florence area and came in 2nd or 3rd place for a number of years for the Florence Beauty Trail. She was a past Regent of the Thomas Lynch, Jr. Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a position which she held for several years. Mrs. Rauh is survived by her only son, Mr. William Edwin Rauh and his wife, Ellen Valley Rauh, three grandsons, William Jonathan (Tiffany) of Columbia, Adam Richard Rauh and his future bride (October 22) Shannon Lawhon of Atlanta, Georgia and Florence, SC, and Charles Joshua Rauh of Atlanta, Georgia, two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Paul Stephanus and Mrs. Charles Mertel of Seattle, Washington, a brother-in-law Colonel Stanley Rauh (USMC Ret.) of San Diego, California, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church on Saturday, October 8th, 2011, at 11:00 AM. The burial of her ashes will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will take place forty-five minutes prior to the service in the sanctuary front vestibule at the church. Memorials can be sent to the McLeod Hospice House, Bethea Baptist Home Rehab Hospital or First Baptist Church Organ Fund. Cain Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. The family would like to thank the nurses at McLeod Medical Center, especially Dana, Brandi, Lauren and Shalonda, the caregivers and nurses at Bethea Baptist Retirement Center and the nurses and caregivers, particularly Renee, Wanda, Linda and Susan from McLeod Hospice for their care, love and support. www.cainfuneralhome.com