Ruby Lee Walker was born on December 17, 1921 to Brida Mae Allen and Thomas Walker in Millen, Georgia; she had one sibling, Susie Mae Jones.  At the age of 102, she departed this life on Monday, October 14, 2024 in the comfort of her home. 

Ruby attended the Gaze Hill Elementary School where she became Valedictorian of her class.  Ruby was offered a scholarship for Artistry, but did not accept it.

After finishing school, she worked as a teacher in the Millen County school system for a short period.  Upon leaving Millen, she moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1953. She worked as a housekeeper and a nanny for many families.  Ruby also worked as a seamstress in a dry-cleaning facility for some years, and as a cook at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.

Ruby was a dedicated and loving mother to six wonderful children: Mary Ann, Verlee, Edward, Thomas, Annis, and Maybelle, raising them in the church.  During that time, she became active in her community, becoming a member of the Democratic Club, working alongside Shirley Chisolm, who was the first Black female to run for President in 1972.  While a Democratic Club member, she registered many voters.  Ruby, being a dedicated mother to her six children, also worked with children in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. 

When Ruby first arrived in New York, she knew that coming from the south, she had to find a church home. She joined several churches -- Trinity Baptist Church, followed by 23 Psalm Baptist Church and the Sharon Baptist Church, until she found her forever home at the Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Henry Jenkins.  Until her passing, she served under the leadership of her pastor, the Rev. Dr. Stanley Shannon. 

Deaconess Walker was a member of the Deaconess Ministry, Sanctuary Choir, and Sunday School Ministry.  She was a very quiet and loving senior.  Known to some as Ms. Walker or Mother Walker, and Nana to so many adopted children, she loved all!  You could find her on Sunday morning sitting in the middle aisle, second row in the sanctuary.  Wearing one of her fashionable hats that one of her daughters had bought or sent her from Florida, and a suit to match, she was a real senior fashionista, with that beautiful smile.  She attended church until her health began to fail, but every Thursday at noon, she would be on the Missionary Prayer Line, praising God and thanking Him for His grace and mercy.  She would always pray an inspirational prayer, but before she would leave the line, she would always tell us to love one another because God is still in control. 

She was predeceased by her sister Susie Mae Jones, two of her children: Verlee Walker and Annis Brooks, a granddaughter Cathy Walker, and great-grandson Kevin Walker. 

She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory, her children: Mary Ann Williams (Frank), Edward Walker, Thomas Walker (LaVern), and Maybelle Hicks (Leonard); her loving and faithful grandson Vincent Walker who was her caretaker for fifteen years; her adopted daughters: Mae James and Rosemary Jones; twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great-grands, thirteen great-great-great-grands, many nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives, church members and friends.