Ruby Jewel Smith

Ruby Jewel Smith

“We Love You More”

A Ruby is a most desirable gemstone due to its beauty, durability, luster, and rarity...

November 3, 1935 – June 30, 2017

The Lord took Ruby Jewel Smith home on June 30, 2017 at the age of 81. She was born on November 3, 1935 in Prescott, Arkansas to the late Daniel T. Johnson and Verda M. Johnson. The youngest of nine children, Ruby relocated to Oakland, California at an early age and became a long-time resident. She was preceded in death by her parents, eight siblings, and her only son, Jonah “JT” Smith. She is survived by one sister, Dorothy Perkins of Prescott, Arkansas. Ruby is also survived by her daughters Denise Smith, Georgina “Gina” Smith, Georgia “Ann” Rand, and Dottie “Sis” Stanley; grandchildren: Robin Ransom, Trina Bradford Burnette, Ronet Jewel “Papoose” Bell, Anthony Smith, Bruce Bradford, Jonah “Lil Jonah” Smith Jr., Warren “Bam” Chambers, Daniel Jackson, Anita Smith, Felitta Carter, Cindy Smith, Christina Smith, Marc Rand, Marcus "Randy" Rand, Lateef McMullan, and Kevin Smith. She will be missed by her children, grandchildren (sixteen), great grandchildren (twenty), great-great grandchildren, and many other family and friends.

The Lord blessed our beloved Ruby with all the qualities of the ruby gemstone; rubies are beautiful, durable, have luster and are rare! These qualities served Ruby well throughout her life. She was a loving and caring person who was always there for her family, to lend an ear or give advice. The enduring legacy she leaves her entire family is not only the durability to overcome and survive all of life's challenges, but also the importance of keeping the family together.

Ruby was a fighter and endured many challenges throughout her life. As she matured into a beautiful young woman, Ruby managed life's twists and turns while maintaining her luster through a unique style all her own, which included a great sense of humor and a razor sharp wit. Ruby was young when she married the late John Smith. They had four children: Denise, Georgina and Georgia (twins), and Jonah. She remarried the late Robert Stanley, creating Dottie “Sis”. Against all odds and through much personal adversity, she survived and persevered, raising five beautiful, independent, and talented children. Ruby showed her love and instilled tradition in her family by cooking and always making her home available. Mama’s or Grandma's house was always home base during the holidays or any other time. Ruby was a great cook and made sure she passed that tradition down to all of her children and many others in the family. Everyone loved her famous greens and hot-water cornbread, and could never get enough her caramel cakes. Ruby also passed down her love for fishing to her family and would go as often as possible.

As Ruby entered her golden years, she maintained her well-known sense of humor and sharp wit; you'd be hard pressed to get one over on her. Finding love late in life, she shared part of her journey with the late Jimmy Lamar. Ruby enjoyed the simple things in life; you could always catch her watching her favorite comedy shows like Sanford and Son, The Golden Girls, and the Jeffersons; others like Bonanza, Perry Mason, and Judge Judy; classic movies; or reading her favorite books by Donald Goines. She also enjoyed listening to music; some of her favorite artists were B.B. King, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, or anything from Motown. If any one of her family members were around when she played her music (over and over), they knew the words too.

Ruby was beautiful and rare just like the precious gemstone. She was a survivor and durable out of necessity, but at her core, a loving “Jewel” of a woman with a strong sense of family and tradition. Staying true to herself, she maintained her luster through life’s challenges and was just as precious at the end of her journey as she was at the beginning. We will always miss you Mama/Grandma and “love you more.”