Truth, love, joy, funny, unforgettable
Ruby Bee was the life of the party: daring, fearless, strong, and vibrant. At the same time, she was caring, loving, and sensitive. She loved to sing, dance, and entertain people. From as young as four, Ruby Bee sang in the church choir, even leading the songs. She stirred up the entire congregation; everyone would be out of their seats and up on their feet!
Ruby Bee and her sister Tiffany were Army brats, living in several locations throughout their childhood. They were fortunate to go on vacations to places, like Paris, France where they had a front row seat on the top of a double-decker bus, touched the Eiffel Tower and ate bratwurst! Tiffany remembers sharing the beauty of the city lights at night with her sister.
Ruth and her mother, Mary Williams, went on fun adventures together. Her step-father, Willie Williams always loved when Ruth cooked at random times of the day. She and her father, Bernard, walked almost ten miles a day together. She also had brothers, Jimmy and Bernard Jr., who sang and rapped with their sister, Ruby Bee. She was playful with all her nieces and nephews. They joked and played together, never taking her seriously.
Ruth received credentials as both a nursing assistant and painter and received multiple awards in the nursing assistant program. She loved her work with older adults.
Tiffany said, “Ruth was anointed, so you felt the impact of everything she did for God.”
A natural comedian, she always kept people laughing. She could role play and act exceptionally well. She wrote poems and rap lyrics. One of her favorite activities was cooking-and she was very good at it.
Ruby Bee was passionate about her three daughters, Mariyah, Saniyah, and Ameriyah. Ruby talked about them non-stop. Ruby and the girls had great communication, and she taught them to be well-rounded. She also never sugarcoated anything for her daughters, always telling them the truth so they would be informed. They sang, danced and jumped on the trampoline together, and went to church with grandaddy Bernard.
During her addiction, Ruby Bee became disinterested in things she used to love. She was more emotional and sometimes explosive, then always quick to apologize. “Ruth’s disease devastated my life,… it has caused me to have compassion for those still in active addiction,” Tiffany said.
“I miss being a big sister, I miss Ruby Bee calling me and running to her rescue. I miss her making me laugh.” Tiffany shared. Tiffany now talks with people openly who have substance use disorder, ministers to them, and encourages them not to give up.
Ruby Bee’s sister, Tiffany Jefferson, provided the information for this narrative.
February 7, 1986-March 23, 2022-Age 35
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
