Saluda, SC

Annie Rauch

Annie Laurie (Ann) Bouknight Rauch, 101, peacefully went to be with The LORD JESUS Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Wildewood Downs Assisted Living Community in Columbia, SC. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at Ramey Funeral Home, 202 N Rudolph Street, Saluda, SC. Her celebration of life service will be at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, 101 North Calhoun Street, Saluda, SC, Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 3 p.m.

Ann was born on June 28, 1924, to the late Pinckney Schumpert Bouknight and Lula Bell Lott Bouknight. She graduated from Saluda High School in 1941 after attending Chappells School in Chappells, SC, through grade 10. Ann worked for a law firm in Saluda before becoming a seamstress at Palmetto Hosiery Mill for 12 years.

On July 2,1949, Ann married Jasper Tolbert (J.T.) Duffie Rauch (died October 25, 2011) at Shiloh Methodist Church in Chappells. In 1952, the couple joined Mt. Pleasant Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saluda, where attending worship services and Sunday School were vitally important to both of them. Ann was active in Women of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) for 60 years, serving on the council and many committees. She treasured fellowship and friendships there for 66 years. Upon her passing, she was the oldest member of Mount Pleasant. Though she moved to Wildwood Downs in Columbia in March 2018, the continued communication and correspondence from family and friends brought her much love, joy, and peace.

J.T. and Ann became owners of Rauch's Auto & Hardware store on Church Street in Saluda across from the courthouse. They enjoyed serving the Saluda community and appreciated the loyalty of their patrons. Though a savvy businesswoman, Ann's favorite job duty was to aid in choosing paint colors and wallpaper. Her advice was "Don't paint the walls without painting the ceiling".

In 2001 when Ann was 77 and J.T., 81, they closed the doors after more than 40 years of working side by side at Rauch's Inc. While still working and in retirement, their travels included trips to Alaska, Bahamas, Branson, MO, Nashville, TN, New Orleans, San Antonio, and Washington, D.С.

Ann's active involvement in the community made a tremendous impact both far and wide. She was a member of The Pyracantha Garden Club from 1954 until she was honored as a National Life Member. She served as a South Carolina Master Flower Show judge for 35 years and was honored as a National Garden Club Emeritus. She was awarded many blue ribbons for her flower arrangement entries. She completed landscaping courses, using her skills to serve on the Saluda Planning Committee. Both Ann and J.T. were masters at working the soil, planting, and growing flowers and vegetables.

Ann was a supportive member of Saluda Historical Society and desired to inspire people to share their blessings, gifts, and talents. Ann encouraged everyone to be gracious, generous givers for the common good of Saluda. Her passion was to spark ALL Saluda County citizens to "come together, talk together, plan together, and provide together" to develop creative ideas to strengthen, enhance, improve, teach, beautify, and unify for the common good-body, soul, and spirit.

Ann was a good listener and progressive thinker. She and J.T. diligently worked to improve the condition of Travis Park Cemetery. In her 80s, she founded and organized the Travis Park Cemetery Association and served as a board member. She was thankful for all who joined, cared, gave, and worked hard to enhance this resting place for the Saluda community.

Ann enjoyed socializing and was a member of two bridge clubs for 50 years. She and her friends often played twice a week, enjoying refreshments, fun, and laughter. When she turned 90, she formed the "90-Year-Old Members Club." Another activity important to her were Bible studies with Pastor Ann Christiansen and Pastor James Glander. These Bible teachings opened her eyes and moved her heart to an even closer walk and relationship with Jesus, her Lord and Savior. She shared her love and joy of God and gladly shared "Galatians 5:16-26-the fruit of the Spirit: love; joy; peace; patience; kindness; goodness; gentleness, faithfulness; and self-control."

Ann was an amazing woman. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, relative, friend and community steward, who gave generously from her heart, her intellect, and her spirit.

Surviving are her two devoted daughters, Laura Ann Rauch Hibbits of Murrells Inlet, SC, and Janet Louise Rauch Keen, son-in-law Robert (Bob) James Keen of Columbia, two grandchildren, Robert James Keen, III of Charlotte and Linda Ann Keen of Charleston, two sisters Mary Lou Bouknight Skenes of Columbia, Betty Jo (Bett) Bouknight Benson of Barnwell, SC, and a sister-in-law Virginia (Ginger) Rogers Bouknight of Simpsonville, SC.

Ann was preceded in death by three brothers, Daniel Pinckney Bouknight, William Harold (Bill) Bouknight, Leon Francis (Pete) Bouknight, two brothers-in-law, James Eli (Jim) Benson, Edgerton Owen (Sonny) Skeens, an infant sister, Katherine Louise Bouknight, a sister-in-law, Annette (Net) Sample Bouknight and nephew, Leon Francis Bouknight, Jr. While on earth, Ann loved flowers and the natural beauty of God's creations. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, 101 Calhoun Street, Saluda, SC 29138 and/or Travis Park Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1174, Saluda, SC 29138, for a lasting remembrance of Ann's life and love.

Please share your memories and condolences online at www.rameyfuneralhome.com .