Arrie Ruth Herlong Tisdale, age 102 of West Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at her home.  She was the widow of Carl Eugene “Gene” Tisdale, Sr.

Born on 17 June 1923 in St. Matthews, SC, she was the daughter of the late Hampton Lafayette Herlong and Vivian Sallie Sikes.  She is also preceded in death by her son Carl Eugene Tisdale, Jr., great grandsons Logan Everette Tisdale and Jacob Eli Tisdale, sisters Lucille Anderson, Margaret Checinski, and Vivian Sowell, and brothers Marion Herlong and James Herlong.

She is survived by her children Larry Steven Tisdale and his wife Patti, Ruth Tisdale Henry and her husband Bill, Mike Allen Tisdale and his wife Nan, and daughter-in-law Brenda Tisdale;  her grandchildren Larry Steven Tisdale, Jr (Tina), Joshua David Tisdale (Kristi), Kristen Bearden Cason (Alex), Ashley Tisdale Marchbanks (Mike), Erin Tisdale Smith (Joshua), Elizabeth Colleen Tisdale, Carl James Tisdale (Tiffany) and Allison Tisdale Rivers (Jeff).

Along with seventeen loving great grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Tisdale was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Cayce where she was very active in her Sunday School class and circle group.  She made many precious lifelong friends there.

She was a faithful wife who lovingly cared for her husband during his long illness.  She was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was an excellent cook, and all her family looked forward to holiday gatherings. While in high school, she had fond memories of working at the 5 and 10 cent store in St. Matthews.  She then worked for a short time at Bell Telephone.  Later, she and her husband Gene built a successful moving and storage business, Tisdale Transfer and Storage.  Even when she became more of a homemaker, she was always available to help out with the business. 

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Amedysis Hospice for their care and kindness; especially her “Special Angels” Dana, Lashondra, and Jackie.

The funeral services for Mrs. Tisdale will be at Thompson Funeral Homes of Lexington on Sunday, 3 August 2025, at 2 o’clock. The family will receive visitors prior to the service beginning at 1 o’clock.

Burial will be at Southland Memorial Gardens following the service.