Mrs. Ruth Foster Chitwood, 87, of 38 Harvey Street, Hartwell, died Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Hartwell Healthcare Center.

Born on September 21, 1923 in Madison County, GA, she was the daughter of the late Sanford B. Foster and Mamie Helen Rhinehart Foster.She was a retired Inspector and Machine Operator at the Dunlop Company and a Charter Member of the Hartwell Church of God.

She is survived by a son: Rev. Jerry F. Chitwood of Toccoa, GA; a daughter: June Crunkleton of Hartwell; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren also survive.Mrs. Chitwood was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester Lon Chitwood, Jr.; a daughter: Cheryl Milam; three sisters: Velma Harris, Beatrice Cole, and Amy Herring; two brothers: Ray and Sanford Foster.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Jerry Chitwood and Rev. Lonnie Bennett officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Garden of Prayer.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday night.The family is at the home.Special memorials may be sent to the Hartwell Church of God, 120 Race Street, Hartwell, GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.