Ruth Carol Tharin Smith Williamson
June 6, 1944 — March 21, 2024
Frisco
Send a Sympathy Card
Past Services
Graveside Service
Magnolia Cemetery
Private Service
Ruth Carol Tharin Smith Williamson
Tharin was born in Charleston, SC, and known as Carol during these formative years. Just as Charleston is nicknamed the Holy City, Tharin had her own enduring nickname, DeeDee, because she was born on D-Day, June 6, 1944. She attended Ashley Hall and later Charleston High, graduating in 1962, before venturing to Virginia to attend Stratford College. As by fate, she and her future husband, John, a cadet at The Citadel, met at a picnic. It was instant karma and love at first sight: the two married on July 18, 1964. Before Tharin saw her 26th birthday, the young couple had three sons. They provided all that was needed and gave freely all that they had, seeing all three boys grow into manhood and start families of their own.
Tharin was a true intellectual, routinely having a half dozen books on her bedside that she would read simultaneously. Always seeking answers to life’s most difficult philosophical questions, Tharin’s mind never stopped racing. Her principal outlet to express all these thoughts and emotions was in the form of poetry; and what an amazing poet she was! A prolific writer, her body of work encompasses thousands of poems. It was in her profession as poet and throughout much of her adult life that she went by her middle name, Tharin. She published regularly throughout the years in various journals and in book anthologies. As a poet, she was an embodiment of the archetype. Eclectic. Eccentric. Wacky and gifted.
Having the soul of an artist, Tharin carried the weight of the world on her shoulders and in her heart: ever sensitive to the plight of others, emotional, and kind. Over the years, she finished her college education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then USL), played savior to at least a baker’s dozen stray cats and dogs who would find a forever home with her, and gave unconditional love and outspoken pride to her grandchildren.
Tharin is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, John, her parents, and two brothers. She is survived by eldest son, Robert Stewart Williamson (Diane), of Pageland, SC, middle son, Paul Andrew Williamson (Lessley), of Lafayette, LA, and youngest son, David Bruce Williamson (Larissa), of Frisco, TX. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
“Cruciate star, thou dear / Sister of my soul, / Send my wounds peace.”
Tharin is now, indeed, at peace.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to one's favorite animal advocacy charity.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Carol Tharin Smith Williamson, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 191
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
