Joan Ruth Baldwin

Mrs. Joan Ruth Baldwin, 74, widow of Vernon E. Baldwin, Jr., passed away Monday, October 6, 2014. The relatives and friends of Ruth Baldwin are invited to attend her Funeral Service 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at Northbridge Baptist Church, 1160 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery on Azalea Drive, N. Charleston. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.JamesAMcAlister.com. A native of Hartselle, AL, she was a daughter of the late William (Bill) and Ruby Lawrence Slaten. Ruth moved to Charleston in the 1960's and worked as a hostess at the Charleston Inn, where she met her future husband, Vernon E. Baldwin, Jr. A talented artist, she wrote poetry, and was especially fond of doing impersonations of Minnie Pearl, entertaining family and friends at family reunions and other events. She was a loving mother who cherished all of her family. Ruth is survived by her 2 sons: Lawrence Alan "Larry" and Terri Baldwin, and Vernon E. Baldwin III; 2 brothers: Frank Slaten and Joe Slaten; 4 sisters: Eleanor Crume, Violet Blackburn, Shirley Rabens, & Betty Watson. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Donald, Raymond, Russell Slaten; and 2 sisters: Faye Fite and Ray Prince. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of Charleston Foundation, 676 Wando Park Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.