Ruth Marie Jackson

In her lifetime, many were the choices that characterized and distinguished Ruth Marie Jackson. Following her birth on May 28, 1938, as the second of four daughters, she grew up in the love and nurturing of her parents, the Reverend Lawrence A. and Mrs. Mary F. Jackson in Bridgehampton, Long Island, New York. Early in life, she pursued excellence as the measure by which she would accomplish her goals. She was a very joyful and active youngster who loved to read and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with family and friends. She was also very active in youth activities and organizations in her church and community. Ruth was baptized and became a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church, Haymarket, Virginia under the leadership of her father, Reverend Lawrence A. Jackson, Pastor. Ruth attended public schools in Richmond, Fauquier and Prince William Counties in Virginia. One of the most memorable highlights of that period was during her high school graduation, when she recited "Creation" by James Weldon Johnson in a most profound and dramatic manner, resulting in thunderous applause. She made lifelong friends in high school and participated in the planning, as well as, attended most of her high school class reunions, over the years. At those turns in the road called career choices, Ruth chose to be engaged in professional settings that embraced her desire to help people. After graduating from Virginia Union University where she majored in Sociology, she moved to New York City, obtained a Master's degree and spent her entire career in the field of Social Work. She retired as a Supervisor in the New York City Human Resources administration. She admitted to being such a tough task enforcer that no one on her staff was sorry she was retiring. In choosing causes with which she would be identified, she affiliated with individuals and several organizations, whose ideas and ideals mirrored her own. Her favorite was the V.U.U. New York City Alumni Chapter, of which she served as president for more than ten years. Another was the United Negro College Fund. Her family had the privilege of traveling to the Sheraton Hotel in New York City to attend a United Negro College Fund event in which Ruth was honored for her enormous support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ruth was also a member of a Meditation group from which she gleaned enormous inspiration and many friends and associates. Ruth made long lasting friendships in New York and frequently attended the Abyssinian Baptist Church. Her friend, Martha Brown spoke about their habit of attending Sunday morning service, followed by lunch. Fortified by Christian faith, Ruth also thoroughly enjoyed visiting her family and home church in Virginia. She particularly enjoyed the home cooked meals, church attendance and fellowship. She departed her earthly home on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Heritage Village Assistant Living facility in Gainesville, Virginia. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty J. Watkins; and three nephews. She leaves to cherish her memories, two sisters Esther J. Washington of Gainesville, Virginia and Barbara E. Jackson of Richardson, Texas; a most devoted niece, Patricia M. Willis, (Kevin); four nephews, Stanley M. Washington, Jr., (Roxane); Michael Watkins, Dwonie Foye and David Howard; an aunt, Lena F. Harris, great nephews, a great niece, several cousins, and numerous friends and acquaintances. We will forever miss her warm smile, humor, love and generosity. We rest assured that Ruth is at peace and inherits the peaceful Kingdom promised to the faithful. "Charm is deceptive and beauty is floating, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Ruth Marie Jackson

May 28, 1938 - March 11, 2023