Ruby Elaine Williams

Ruby Elaine Williams was one of eleven children born to the late George
Washington McKenzie and Marie Westbrook-McKenzie. She grew up in Vienna,
Georgia and graduated from the Vienna High and Industrial School as class
valedictorian.
Shortly after graduation Ruby came to Michigan where she landed her first job at
La Measure Brothers Laundry. While there she enrolled in evening classes at
Lewis Business College. Two years later she received her Certificate of
Completion in Bookkeeping and Accounting.
Ruby and Fletcher Williams, Jr. were wed in 1956 at Second Baptist Church by the
late Rev. A. A. Banks, Jr. To that union was born a daughter, Debora and a son,
Ronald who died at birth. Fletcher preceded Ruby in death in 2005.
Ruby and Fletcher owned a photography studio in their home for approximately 30
years. Ruby used her bookkeeping and accounting skills as she managed the family
business. Ruby and her family enjoyed traveling across America as they attended
professional photography conventions each year and traveled for annual family
reunions.
When her daughter Debora was in elementary school, Ruby accompanied her as a
chaperone on school trips to Washington, D. C. and Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
Ruby was later elected as the first president of the Williams Elementary School
Community Council.
In 1974 Ruby earned an Associate of Arts degree from Wayne County Community
College. Later, Ruby began writing a weekly column for the Michigan Chronicle
entitled “Church Briefs.” Her column highlighted the special events held by local
churches in the Metropolitan Detroit area. During this time, she also worked for
Michigan Bell Telephone Company until she retired.
Ruby was also very active in her church, Second Baptist Church of Detroit. She
served six years as president of the mission department. During her leadership, the
mission department sponsored the digging of two water wells in Africa, built a
church in Haiti, and led the mission department through the payment of $25,000
towards establishing new churches in America through affiliation with the

American Baptist Churches. Ruby also taught an adult Sunday school class at
Second Baptist Church for several years.
Ruby served as the first chairperson of the Mass Media Unit of the Michigan
Progressive Baptist Convention (M.P.B.C.). During her tenure, the unit published
a monthly newsletter entitled “The Baptist Star.” The newsletter thrived for
several years. The Mass Media Unit also sponsored annual “Unsung Heroes
Luncheons” with the proceeds from each luncheon going to scholarships for High
School graduates of M.P.B.C. churches. Ruby was also a pioneer in establishing
and selecting a location as the headquarters for the M.P.B.C.
Ruby enjoyed being part of a Home Bible Study Group where members of the
Bible study engaged in comprehensive study of the Bible and visited nursing
homes regularly to encourage the seniors. Ruby enjoyed reading, singing, and
playing the piano. She especially loved to play hymns. She encouraged and
supported her granddaughter Marcella, as she pursued graduate and post-graduate
degrees in Oriental Medicine. Ruby received many resolutions and tributes from
her community, neighborhood schools, community block club, Second Baptist
Church, the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention, and she was a life member
of the N.A.A.C.P.
She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter Debora, a granddaughter Marcella,
one sister, Leola R. Reily, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and
nephews.

Acknowledgement of Appreciation
The family of Ruby E. Williams wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation,
the many comforting messages, floral tributes, prayers and many other expressions
of kindness and concern evidenced at this time in thought and deed. A more personal acknowledgement will be made at a later date.