RUTH SOLOMON

SOLOMON Ruth Alma Cummings Solomon was the matriarch of her family and of a vast family of friends, associates, church members, sorority members, students and former co-workers whom she counseled, comforted, corrected when needed, and thoroughly cherished. She spent most of her life here in Jacksonville and taught in the public schools for thirty-nine years. During that time she joined West Union Baptist Church and married the late Gilbert Solomon. From this union, one daughter was born. She was born in Aiken, South Carolina on May 6, 1914, the third of eight children to the late Rev. William T.S. Cummings and the late Leila Singleton Cummings. She attended the local public schools, Florida Normal College, received the Bachelor of Science Degree from Columbia University. Her teaching career began in Cosmo, then to Arlington and Oakland Elementary Schools. The major portion of her career was spent at Stanton High School where she taught mathematics and served as comptroller. She was often heard stating her favorite expression, If I can help somebody as I pass along the way, my life will not have been in vain. She has been a member of West Union Baptist Church for ninety-three years and served as President of the Baptist Training (BTU) for more than sixty years; Superintendent of the Beginners Department of the Sunday School for more than fifty years; Organizer of the Youth Choir, Male Chorus, and Choir Number Three; Conducted the Vacation Bible School for more than thirty years, Director of Youth Missions; Director of the Board of Christian Education; and the first female Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She is a Golden, National Life and Chapter Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She served as President of Gamma Rho Omega Chapter for five years. She was also the founders and was the volunteer coordinator for the 4 Wheels for Cancer Program for more than twenty years, coordinated the AKA-ACS Christmas Gift wrap project and served as volunteer coordinator for the American Cancer Society Crusade, Northside unit. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted daughter, Norma Ruth Solomon White, grandson, Marcel Kevin White, Great granddaughter, Danielle L. White-Britt (Yazid), Gainesville, VA.; great great grandson, Isiah Britt, Gainesville, VA.; sisters, Thelma Howard, nieces, Rosemarie Howell, Nashville, TN.; Constance Anderson, Sandra Y. Thompson and Deborah L. Bell; nephews, Roosevelt Thomas (Mary), Birmingham, AL.; Robert Williams (Helen), Dayton, OH.; Andre Bell (Deborah), several grand nephews and nieces. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2013 in West Union Baptist Church, 1605 West Beaver Street, Rev. Leroy Kelly, Pastor, Officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation at the church Wednesday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Ivey Beyond The Wall Ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Solomon's remains will rest at the church Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements by Phillips Mortuary, Garcia M. Phillips, L.F.D, 4815 Avenue B, (904) 768-0666. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com