Darlington nurse honored at hospital in Raleigh
Darlington native Ruth Elmer Scipio “Cookie” Witherspoon is being honored in an interactive display on the wall of the new Rex Heart and Vascular Hospital in Raleigh, NC that opens on March 17, 2017. She was the first African-American Charge Nurse (Registered Nurse) at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC.
Ruth was born June 25, 1931 to Elmer Baker and Harrison Scipio in Darlington County, South Carolina. She was the 5th child of 7 siblings. Growing up on the family farm (the family farm is now named Scipio Farms and Habitat and is located on Green Street in the High Hill Community), Ruth was scared of everything and never dreamed she would go into nursing. There was limited money and opportunities for women in this community. Her father could afford to send her to college for one year. She would have to return home and go back later when he could afford tuition. Ruth was determined not to return home so when her aunt told her mother to send her to nursing school with an older cousin who would look after her, she agreed.
Ruth attended Columbia Hospital School of Nursing in Columbia, SC. She received her nursing degree in 1952. One of her more eventful experiences during nursing school was her participation in a program called KSEA, where nurses went on the streets of Columbia inoculating African Americans for the dreaded Syphilis epidemic.
Ruth practiced nursing in hospitals on segregated wards in Columbus, GA; Florence, SC; Lumberton, NC; and Rocky Mount, NC. To have enough time to maintain a happy marriage and home life with Darlington native Augustus “Spoon” Witherspoon, (who named her Cookie) she worked 3rd shift most of her career. She always had a love for fashion and exemplified that love in the way she dressed for work. Her uniform, shoes, hat and hair was always pristine clean. Her beautiful clothes and signature perfume scent are indelibly imprinted on her nieces and nephews who idolize her.
Cookie became the first African American Charge Nurse at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. Her hiring satisfied the integration quota. Her exemplary nursing skills, professionalism and articulation were catalysts for gaining respect as a Rex Charge Nurse. Cookie chose not to remember the difficult times being the only African American nurse at Rex. Her determination, positive attitude and dedication to her work helped her to “outtalk” opposition or put it out of her mind and keep going.
Her decision to retire early was precipitated by her dedication to Spoon, who was battling cancer.
Religious and Civic Affiliations:
After her beloved Spoon achieved his educational goals, he became an African Methodist Episcopal Minister in Wilson, NC. Cookie happily served as First Lady of this community for 5 years.
Other Awards and Recognition:
As the wife of Spoon, a NC State Trailblazing Professor (The Witherspoon Center on the campus of NC State University is the first building named after an African American Augustus McIver Witherspoon), Cookie was called on to entertain often. Their house was always full of students, friends, colleagues and family. Cookie credits her mother with her cooking skills. She organized a cooking group that met monthly to experiment with new recipes, healthy cooking tips and fun fellowship.
Cookie loved golfing and was actively involved with a local golf group. She traveled extensively throughout the US, Nova Scotia, and several trips to West Africa.
Cookie’s entire life has been dedicated to helping save lives. The health and welfare of her family has always come first. Her family was honored with her decision to retire in Darlington with her sisters and live independently in this safe loving environment dying peacefully October 15, 2015.