Edith Ruth

In Loving Memory of Edith Ruth

Edith Ruth, fondly known as “Amee” by family, was age 96, and lived in Bowie, Maryland. She departed this life in the early morning of October 21, 2025, at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. She was surrounded by family in the hours leading up to her passing.

Born on August 13, 1929, at the Metropolitan Hospital, in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, Amee was the daughter of the late George Whitney and the late Lena (Angelina) Reglar Whitney. Lena was of Cuban decent. On August 7, 1930, Lena passed in childbirth, when Amee was a toddler.

At that point, William “Bubba” Troup and Rosa Bell Troup stepped in as Godparents to raise her to adulthood. Her father George continued to be an active provider in her life. Amee was a believer in Jesus Christ, and was baptized on April 18, 1946 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Harlem, New York City, under the pastorship of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Amee went on to graduate from Central Commercial High School, with a diploma in Secretarial Studies. During those years, she was fondly known as “Frenchie”. Her high school picture was captioned “Frenchie is always full of fun, that’s why she’s liked by everyone.” Amee obtained an Associate in Arts and Bachelor of Science from Medgar Evers College, of the University of New York.

Amee also had a love for travel, which took her to such destinations as Bermuda, Spain, Morocco, Canada, and Oak Bluffs, and Hawaii. She loved her pets, game shows, dancing, and bingo.

Amee married her childhood sweetheart, Ralph Waldo “Emerson” Ruth on June 18, 1955 at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Manhattan. The couple then moved to Brooklyn, and Amee entered the field of education, to teach public school, nursery to grade 6, in the Borough of Brooklyn, New York. Together, she and Emerson raised two children and built a family life. Amee was an active member of the Sterling Street Block Association, and a devoted mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend, known for her warmth, honesty and quick wit.

In October 1984, spouse Emerson Ruth preceded Amee in death. She is survived by her children, JoLinda Sadie Ruth Cogen (husband Michael Cogen), and Emerson DeWitt Ruth (wife Janice Ruth); her grandchildren, Danielle, Christopher, Whitney, Asha (husband Reggie) and Madison; and her great grandchildren, Caliana, Josiah, Dash, Aries, Dyce, and Ayah.

A celebration of Edith Ruth’s life will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Beall Funeral Home in Bowie, Maryland, 6512 NW Crain Hwy., Bowie, Maryland 20715. The gathering starts at 10:00 a.m., and the memorial service begins at 11:00 a.m. A repass will follow at the Emerson Ruth residence in Bowie, Maryland.

Edith is being cremated, and her interment will be in New York City. Her legacy of courage and boldness lives on in all who knew her.