Mrs. Ruby E. Williams

August 25, 1932 - May 30, 2019

Ruby E. Williams, a retired school teacher, died May 30, 2019, at Gilchrist Hospice, Towson. She was 86 years old. The former Ruby Eliza Ford was born in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. She attended local schools and was a charter member of Booker T. Washington’s chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. She graduated from Frederick Douglas High School in 1949. During her childhood, she enjoyed many summers at her family’s country place in Surry County Virginia. Ruby met Ellsworth Williams in the early 50s and the rest, as they say, is history. The two married on June 14, 1955 and were inseparable. In 1957, they settled in the Govans neighborhood where they raised their two children, Michael and Kathryn. There was always something going on at the Williams’ house – Cub Scout den meetings, piano and violin lessons, coffee klatches with local politicians, the Metropolitan Opera brought to life and evening readings. And ever present were wonderful homemade meals and fresh cut flowers in the home. To say she loved school is an understatement. Graduating early from high school and college, Mrs. Williams constantly earned academic honors. It was as if she devoured her studies as she took several courses for both personal and professional enrichment. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Coppin State College, an M.Ed. from Towson University and continued graduate studies at Loyola and Johns Hopkins. It was a natural progression, then, that Mrs. Williams became a school teacher. She found great joy in teaching pre-k, kindergarten and first grade. Ruby retired in 1991 after a 30-year teaching career, which included assignments at Walbrook (now Robert W. Coleman), Morrell Park, and Highlandtown Elementary Schools. While teaching full-time, Mrs. Williams volunteered with the American Red Cross and extended this work to St. Mary’s Health Ministry, where she chaired church blood drives for 12 years. She also volunteered with the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO). Mrs. Williams served on the boards of Epiphany House and the Friends of Govans Library. She extended her love of teaching into retirement, leading adult literacy classes at Govans and Waverly branches of the Enoch Pratt Library as well as tutoring children in the Dyslexia Tutoring Program. An avid reader, Ruby was a member of St. Mary’s Bible Study Group, Govans Book Discussion Group and the Enoch Pratt Volunteer Council. Besides reading, she enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing bridge and attending the theater. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11:00 am on Friday, June 7, 2019 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 5502 York Road, Govans, MD 21212. Mrs. Williams is survived by her daughter, and sister, Glorio F. Logan of Washington, DC. Her husband of 62 years and son preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn a long list of nieces and nephews. The family suggests donations in her memory be sent to St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, a school serving inner-city male youths, 300 East Gittings Street, Baltimore, MD 21239, 410-539-8268.