Ruby Scates

Gaffney, SC - - Ruby Swan Scates, 97, formerly of Gowdeysville Road and a current resident of Eden Terrace in Spartanburg, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.

Born in Andrews, NC, she was the widow of the late Richard Edward "Ed" Scates, Sr. and daughter of the late Joseph Harvey Swan and Hattie Cable Swan.  She was a homemaker and a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church.  She loved her family, growing flowers, sewing and was a great cook.

She is survived by two sons, Richard E. Scates, Jr. (Cheryle M.) of Buford, GA and Douglas R. Scates (Lou Ann P.) of Boiling Springs, NC; a daughter, Deborah S. Demo (Roland Harvey) of Shelby; three grandchildren, Gray Scates (Sloan), Andy Scates (Jennifer) and Jessica Scates; a great-grandson, Thomas Scates; numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Swan, James Swan and her twin brother, Ralph Swan, and two sisters, Helen Greene and Willie Morgan.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Rehoboth Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Rehoboth Baptist Church, 110 Rehoboth Road, Gaffney, SC 29340.

The family will be at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC