Ruth Mae (Jones) Williams

Ruth Jones Williams was born on Thursday, November 11, 1926 in Williamston, NC.  She was the fifth of thirteen children born to the union of the late Henderson Isom Jones, Sr. and the late Clara Dempsey Jones. .  She peacefully departed this life on Saturday, February 20, 2021.

In her younger years she attended Bethlehem A.M.E. Zion church in Williamston, NC.  She attended school in the Martin County School system.

After marrying, having children and divorcing, she moved to Boston in the 1950s.  She immediately became an active member of the Historic Charles St. AME Church in Roxbury, MA.  She was a member of the Missionary Unit, a Stewardess and mother of the church.  Every time she met a stranger, she would inquire of their church affiliation.  If they had no church home, she would encourage them to make God a central part of their life and join a church.

She was the mother of Jeffrey (deceased as an infant), Jacquelyn (Edmond) Weeks of Florida, William Elbert Clark (deceased), Gwendolyn Clark and many adopted children who called her mother.

She worked at Gillette Corporation until her retirement.  Upon retiring she spent a great deal of time volunteering at the schools of her grandchildren as well as driving them to and from school.  When her grandson Nickolas attended the Elihu Greenwood School, she and another grandparent started a school store for the children.  No item (paper, pencils, pens, note books, books, snacks, toys, etc.) cost over 75 cents.  She also volunteered at the after school tutoring program at the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church.  Over the years even as her health continued to decline, she would still attend both church services (8am and 11:15am).

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by eight sisters:  Mrs. Marie McNair, Mrs.Thenorma McNair, Mrs. Aldean Copper, Ms. Clara Jones, Mrs. Florence Willis, Mrs. Ann Chappell, Mrs. Eleanor Homes and Mrs. Deborah Williams; two brothers:  Henderson Isom Jones, Jr. and Edward Jones; her sons:Jeffrey (as an infant) and William Elbert, and her great grand daughter Annaya Marie Edwards (heaven born).

She leaves to mourn her passing and continue her legacy, two sisters:  Mrs. Ethel J. Farrar of Roxbury, MA and Mrs. Vertie Thompson of Fort Washington, MD; two sisters in law:  Mrs. Martha Jones of NY and Mrs. Gloria Jones of Williamston, NC; one brother in law:  Lawrence McNair; biological children:  Jacquelyn Weeks (Edmond) of Beverly Hills, Florida, Gwendolyn Clark of Boston, MA, adopted children:  Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover Sr. (Rev. Barbara), Eddison Stafford (Pam), Paul Wright (Oneatha), Rev. Opal Adams, Ralph Cooper (Denise), Dr. Osazee Owens (Isuan), Glenn Hall (Betty), Elta Garrett, Carole Copeland, Calvin Jackson (Sheila), Daphne Leach, Hattie Sharpe, Joyce Williams, Jack Johnson (Helen), Sam Johnson (Clara), Rev. Nanette Baines, Ralph Smith, Jr., Patricia Hill, Blossom Hornsby and Rev. Dr. Barbara Simmons.  Biological grandchildren: Nneka Hall and Nickolas Clark Durham, Elberthia Clark, Meghaan Clark, Monica Clark, Catherine Clark, Cocoa Clark, Gary Clark, William E. Clark Jr., Steven Clark; adopted grandchildren:  Mary Ellen Gambon, Keri Singleton, Gerami Groover Flores (Angelo), Greg Groover, Jr., and Dexter Hester; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY ASKS THAT DONATIONS BE MADE TO : CHARLES ST A.M.E. CHURCH 551 Warren St, Dorchester, MA 02121

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