By Katina Rice-Davis | Staff Writer
Ninety-five years of living, loving, serving, and trusting God is certainly a milestone worth celebrating.
For Ms. Mary Ruth Dogan, reaching this extraordinary age represents far more than the passing of time. It is a testament to a life shaped by faith, strengthened through adversity, and enriched by the countless lives she has touched along the way.
Born Mary Ruth Gilliam on October 11, 1931, in Union County, South Carolina, to Eula Mae Gilliam Young, Ms. Dogan grew up in Cross Keys during the Jim Crow era, a time marked by racial segregation, economic hardship, and limited opportunities for African Americans.
Yet, despite the challenges of those times, she remembers a community where family, faith, and neighbors played an essential role in helping one another survive and thrive.
Her childhood was spent among other sharecropping families, where relatives, friends, and neighbors formed a close-knit support system. When difficult times came, people came together to help one another.
As the oldest of 11 children, Ms. Dogan carried significant responsibilities at a young age, helping care for her five brothers and five sisters while her mother worked in the fields or performed domestic work.
She vividly remembers the hardships her family experienced during the Great Depression, including the rationing stamps used to obtain necessities such as flour, sugar, and coffee.
Education looked much different in those days. She attended a one-room schoolhouse where children of all ages learned under the instruction of a single teacher. Although resources were limited, the lessons of responsibility, perseverance, and community would remain with her throughout her life.
Faith was also central to her upbringing. Her family faithfully attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Cross Keys, where the church served as more than a place of worship. It was a spiritual foundation, a gathering place, and a source of encouragement and support for the community.
For Ms. Dogan, the values instilled during those early years became the foundation upon which she would build her own family and approach life.
A Mother’s Strength and Unwavering Determination
One of the most defining chapters of Ms. Dogan’s life came when tragedy struck at just 24 years old.
Following the death of her husband in an automobile accident, she found herself responsible for raising four young children, ranging in age from seven years to just seven weeks old.
Faced with an unimaginable loss and the responsibility of providing for her children, she made a decision to press forward.
She learned to drive, obtained her driver’s license, purchased a car, relocated to Woodruff, and purchased a home for just $5 a week—a home she proudly still owns today.
At the time, the state provided $19 a month for each child, but that assistance was not enough to meet the needs of a growing family. Determined to give her children what they needed, Ms. Dogan worked at least two jobs at a time.
Her story is one of a mother’s determination to turn hardship into opportunity. She did not allow tragedy to define the future of her family. Instead, she relied on her faith, embraced hard work, and continued moving forward.
Along the way, spiritual leaders and members of her church and community helped encourage her. She especially remembers the many “village mothers” at New Prospect Baptist Church who offered guidance, wisdom, and a listening ear when she needed it most.
Their influence strengthened her faith, encouraged her as a mother, and helped her recognize the purpose God had placed on her life.
Family: A Blessing That Extends Beyond Bloodlines
When asked what family has meant to her throughout her life, Ms. Dogan’s response was simple but meaningful:
“My family is special, extra special.”
She also believes family extends beyond biological relationships.
Throughout the years, she has opened her home to siblings, cousins, and others who needed somewhere to stay. She has played a nurturing role in the lives of numerous children, finding joy in watching them grow and seeing what they have accomplished with the opportunities God provided.
Her care for others did not stop with her immediate family.
She regularly picked up sick children from school so their parents could finish their workday. She also assisted senior citizens throughout Cross Keys, Cross Anchor, Woodruff, and Enoree by providing transportation to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, church services, and restaurants.
And when it came to the kitchen, Ms. Dogan knew how to use her God-given talent to bless others.
Whether preparing meals for the sick and shut-in or simply sharing a home-cooked meal with someone in need, she understood that sometimes the greatest expressions of love come through the simplest acts of kindness.
Her service to friends and neighbors brought her tremendous joy, guided by the biblical principle of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Passing Down a Legacy of Faith and Values
Ms. Dogan understood that raising children involved more than providing food, clothing, and shelter. It also meant teaching them values that would guide them throughout their lives.
Church attendance, studying Scripture, and living according to God’s Word were important parts of her household.
Mealtime was also an opportunity for spiritual growth. As the family gathered around the table, each child was expected to recite a Bible verse.
She also emphasized the importance of working hard to obtain the things they needed and treating others the way they wanted to be treated.
Those lessons continue to echo through the generations of her family.
Today, Ms. Dogan is the proud matriarch of five children, one of whom preceded her in death, 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren—a remarkable five generations of family.
Among those who hold a particularly special place in her heart is her great-great-granddaughter, Zhuri Craig, whom she lovingly considers the apple of her eye.
Whenever the opportunity arises, Ms. Dogan proudly reminds everyone:
“Zhuri makes me have 5 generations!”
It is a statement she makes with unmistakable joy and pride, recognizing the beautiful legacy of life and family that surrounds her.
“The Lord blessed me with good children and grandchildren! They show me a lot of love and attention, always making sure that I have the things I need,” she shared.
More Than 70 Years of Faithful Service
Ms. Dogan’s commitment to faith has remained a constant throughout her life.
She has been a member of New Prospect Baptist Church for more than 70 years and previously served as an usher for over 50 years.
Today, she continues to serve in the honored role of Mother of the Church.
Her decades of dedication reflect a lifetime of commitment to her faith, her church family, and the spiritual well-being of others.
The Secret to 95 Years
When asked what she believes is the secret to longevity, Ms. Dogan offered an answer rooted in the same principles that have guided her life for nearly a century.
“Being good and caring to others. The Good Lord recognizes and bestows blessings upon your life, which results in longevity.”
Her words reflect a philosophy she has not merely spoken but demonstrated through decades of kindness, generosity, faith, and service.
At 95, Ms. Mary Ruth Dogan’s life is a reminder that a meaningful legacy is not measured solely by the years we live, but by the lives we touch, the love we give, and the values we leave behind.
From a young girl growing up in a one-room schoolhouse in Cross Keys to a determined young widow raising four children, from a devoted mother and longtime church servant to the proud matriarch of five generations, her journey tells a story of resilience, grace, and unwavering faith.
As family and friends recently celebrated this special milestone with a birthday celebration, they were not simply celebrating another birthday.
They were honoring a woman whose life has been a blessing to generations and whose legacy of love and service will continue long after the candles have been blown out.
Ninety-five years later, Ms. Mary Ruth Dogan is still standing, still loving, still giving, and still giving God the glory.
What a beautiful legacy to celebrate!
