Ruth Louise Hills Mallard

Ruth Louise Hills Mallard, 88, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, wife of the Honorable Robert Roland “Bobby” Mallard, Sr., passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in the Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Road, James Island, at 11:30 am. Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 27, 2024 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm.

Ruthie was born on October 7, 1935 to Robert Seabrook and Rose Cantwell Hills and grew up in the town of Summerville. A graduate of Summerville High School, she went on to become a 1957 graduate of Columbia College where she majored in Speech. Active in the theater department, she starred in numerous plays, earning her the senior superlative of Best Actress. She was so proud that her only daughter followed in her footsteps and graduated from Columbia College in 1987. 

Preceded in death by her parents, sisters Elizabeth Hills Rollins and Rosemary Hills Mason, and son Christopher “Scott” Mallard, Ruthie is survived by her husband of 66 years; her children, Robert Roland Mallard Jr., Timothy Seabrook Mallard, Rose Elizabeth “Sissy” Mallard, and Patrick Joseph Mallard; three grandchildren, Julia Mallard Watkins (Mac), Robert Roland Mallard III, and Grace Ann Mallard; and one great-grandson, Thomas Weil Watkins. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruthie’s life was marked by her unwavering commitment to her family and a passion for teaching. She and Bobby married and moved to Columbia with their first child while Bobby pursued law school. Upon his graduation they moved back to Charleston and bought their first home in West Ashley. 

She helped start Saint Joseph Catholic Church, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and active church and community member. She never missed a sporting event at Saint Andrews, Lenevar Playground, Bishop England High School, Mason Prep, Porter-Gaud and the Citadel especially when her children and grandchildren were on the court and field. 

Ruthie dedicated much of her life to education, caring for countless students during her years as a beloved first grade teacher at Mason Preparatory School and Nativity School. Her enthusiasm for reading and care for her students left an indelible mark on the school community. She had one of the first “Little Free Libraries” in the Farmfield neighborhood and delighted in delivering books to the patients at MUSC Children's Hospital. She enjoyed spending time at their family home on Edisto and teaching the younger generations how to crab off the dock. Her warm smile and generous spirit touched the lives of many, and she will be remembered for her kindness, sense of humor, and support for all those she loved.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the compassion of her caregivers, Richard Ruby, Catherine Irving and Amedisys Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the James F. Byrnes Foundation, PO Box 6781, Columbia, SC 29260; or the Joyce and Charles Darby Family Foundation, 310 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.