Ruth Elizabeth “Baby Sis/Mama Ruth” Gant February 8, 1935 – January 3, 2019 Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Gant, daughter of the late Ernest and Annie Parker was born February 8, 1935. She was the 4th of 15 children. She was affectionately known as “Baby Sis” and “Mama Ruth”, 83, of Hopewell, VA.
In the early hours of Wednesday, January 3, 2019, she was called to her heavenly home at Riverview on the Appomattox health and Rehabilitation Center. Ruth received her early education at Freetown Elementary, graduating from Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis, MD. In Ruth’s young years she was a member of Halls United Methodist Church in Glen Burnie, MD.
She united with the Friendship Baptist Church, Hopewell in 1975, where she was a faithful and dedicated member. She loved her church family and was an active member of the Senior Choir, the Gospel Chorale, the Beautification Ministry and the Senior Friends until her health declined. Born: February 8, 1935 Death: January 3, 2019 Ruth was employed at Ft.
George E. Meade in Maryland, after relocating to Virginia she was employed at Metropolitan Linen (Cintas) for over 30 years in Hopewell, VA. Ruth loved shopping, traveling, social gatherings, cooking, singing, church outings and spending time with family and church members. She loved her family and friends unconditionally.
Her infectious personality touched an overwhelming number of people. Ruth was preceded in death by her six brothers, Henry, Ernest, Burnis, Howard, Leon and Terry; three sisters, Bertina, Louise and Pearline; and one sister-in-law, Ernestine. Ruth leaves to mourn a loving and devoted husband of 59 years, Joseph Gant, Jr.; ten loving children; three devoted daughters, Patricia and Eris of Hopewell, and Christel (Marlin Sr.) of Maryland; seven devoted sons, Emery (devoted Doris) of Petersburg, Kevin (Wanda), Terrance, Shelton, and Joseph III all of Hopewell, and Ivell Sr. of Maryland and Jule (Lee Ann) of Boston.
She will be dearly missed by her two sisters, Annie (Walter) and Clarice (Christopher) of Maryland; two brothers, William and Joseph (Shelia) of Maryland. She also leaves to cherish her memory to fifteen wonderful grandchildren, Tamieka, Tiffanie, Briona, Britney, Timothy Jr. (TJ), Degonett (DJ), Lilly, Marlin Jr., Lakeeta, LaKeesha, Terrell, Carisa, Sharee, Ivell Jr. and Nova; three sisters-in-law, Ida, Mercille, and Clementine; one brother-in-law, Eddie; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and devoted friends. We will miss Mama Ruth’s smile and her outgoing spirit.
Her legacy of love will forever remain in our hearts. Services will be held 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Friendship Baptist Church, 1305 Arlington Road, Hopewell, VA, the Rev. Dr. Norwood G. Carson, Pastor, eulogist.
The interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.
jmwilkersonsince1874.com.
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