Ruth McCullough Pinckney

View Video Tribute Ruth McCullough Pinckney, 90, self-employed accountant and resident of Bear Creek Pike, died Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Life Care Center of Columbia after a brief illness. A funeral service will be conducted Friday at 5:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia. The family will visit with friends Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. A graveside service will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 P.M. at Saluda City Cemetery in Saluda, North Carolina. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born April 8, 1928 in Birmingham, AL, she was the daughter of the late George McCullough and Josephine Knudson. Mrs. Pinckney was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Ruth attended Smith College in Northampton, MA. She and Charles fell in love at first sight on the golf course at an introduction contrived by her eldest brother. Although it interrupted his golf game, it fulfilled the rest of their lives together.Ruth was an advocate for and volunteered in programs for the benefit of special needs children. In 1970 Charles and Ruth started a tax return and bookkeeping business that still operates in Columbia today. Her meticulous attention to detail was admired by her many friends and clients.Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of Columbia. She was survived by her sisters Shirley Isbell of Atlanta, GA and Joan Scott of Birmingham, AL and her sons, Charles (Pam) Pinckney of Birmingham, AL; George (Mickie) Pinckney of Saluda, NC; Thomas Pinckney of Columbia; Joseph (Rita) Pinckney of Mt. Dora, FL; grandchildren, Charles Pinckney of Birmingham, AL; Hannah (Paul) Lawrence of Birmingham, AL; Sally Pinckney of Charlotte, NC; Elizabeth Pinckney of Saluda, NC; step-grandchildren Mellisa McHaffie of Palm Harbor, FL; Zac Puchlopek of Montverde, FL; Matere Alban of Mount Dora, FL; and great-grandchildren Taylor Ruth Pinckney, Gabriella Lawrence, Chase and Madison McHaffie, and Steele and Paxton Puchlopek.Active pallbearers will be family and friends. The family expresses deep appreciation to the staff who cared for her at The Bridge and Life Care Center of Columbia.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to The Exceptional Foundation, Homewood, Alabama for the benefit of individuals with special needs.