HENRY, Ruth Isabel, 97, passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on February 3, 2013 at Dartmouth General Hospital after a short illness surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Amherst on November l7, 1915, a daughter of the late Henry G. Jones and Elsie M. (Talbot) Jones.
Ruth loved children and was a housekeeper/nanny for a number of families in the Amherst area. Over the years, she had kept in touch with many of the family members and considered them to be close friends. She had also been a faithful caregiver for a number of years to her sister Dorothy, who at the age of 99, survives her.
Ruth was a dedicated member of Highland A.M.E. Church in Amherst for over fifty years, where she participated in Church services and functions in various ways. She was on the Board of Stewards and Trustees; Secretary/Treasurer of the Missionary Society and until recently held the position of Church Treasurer.
When Centennial celebrations were held in Amherst in 1989, she was a member of the mass choir that was composed of choirs from several areas of the Amherst community. In 2005, Ruth made her television debut on Eastlink Television in a featured documentary entitled Weaving the Story , which chronicled the journey of African Nova Scotian Women in Cumberland County and which featured herself and five other ladies. She felt so honored to be acknowledged in this way and considered this to be her small contribution to the Black history of this Province.
Ruth was a quiet and humble lady, whose world was centered on her family, friends, and Church. Her gentle, pleasant nature endeared her to many. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all those fortunate enough to have known her. But she will also be remembered for her quick wit and feistiness, which remained with her until the day of her passing. In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting, quilting, gardening, the outdoors, word search puzzles and of course, shopping. She loved clothes and always had a flair for style.
Though it grieved Ruth to leave her loved ones behind, she entrusted them to God’s care and prepared herself for the next stage of her journey, looking forward to being reunited with other family members who had passed on before her.
She is survived by daughters Judy (Brad) Barton, Dartmouth; Linda (Lex) Bizzeth, Cole Harbour; step-daughters Kathleen (Arthur) Watt; Ena (Winston) Johannes; and Joyce Henry, all of Brooklyn, N.Y.; sister Dorothy Jones of Amherst; Grandchildren Jason and Lia Barton; Jessica and Stephanie Bizzeth; Great-grandson Brandon; Great-granddaughter Zoey. She was a dear Aunt to several nieces: Dianne Wellman, Betty Hunt, Adah Mclellan, Sandra Dickson, Joanne Hunter-Hayes, Janet and Patricia Hayes and nephews: David Jones, Peter Jones, Roy Jones and Roderick Lee. She was predeceased by her husband Hubert, sisters Reta Lee, Frances (Bubbles) Hayes and brother Elmer Jones, nephews Norman and Robert Lee and niece Peggy (Lee) Foster. Two sisters Patricia and Helen and a brother Vincent died in infancy.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the doctors and nursing staff of the 4th Floor, Transitional Unit of the Dartmouth General Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care during our mother’s illness. A special thanks to Dr. Murray McCrossin of Amherst for his dedicated and professional service over the course of Mom’s health care.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Campbell’s Funeral Home, 98 Church Street, Amherst, N.S.(667-9906). A funeral service celebrating Ruth’s long and productive life will be held in the Highland A.M.E. Church, Amherst, N.S. on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 1 p.m. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at Campbell’s Funeral Home. Interment in the Amherst Cemetery in the spring. Family flowers only. Donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Highland A.M.E. Church, Amherst or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences and sharing of memories may be done via: www.campbellsamherst.ca