Ruby Lee Daniel

Ruby Lee Rushing Daniel was born on March 26, 1941 in Kokomo (Walthall County), Mississippi. She was the fourth of sixteen children born to the union of Elijah Leroy and Georgia Dixie Luter Rushing.

Ruby graduated in 1961 from JJ Gulledge Memorial High School in Tylertown, Mississippi. She moved to Gulfport, Mississippi shortly after graduating from high school to live with relatives. She attended American Beauty College and became a licensed cosmetologist.

On March 17, 1966, Ruby married the love of her life, Mr. Lucious "Butch" Daniel and remained married for nearly 60 years. To their union was born two children - Dr. Tracy Daniel-Hardy (Muhammad Hardy) and Andrea "Tigar" Daniels.

After moving to Gulfport, Ruby became a member of McDowell Memorial Church of God in Christ and later joined Little Rock Baptist Church in Gulfport with her husband. Before her illness, Sister Daniel was a faithful member of the Deaconess, Junior Matron's Auxiliary, Senior Mission, Sunday School, and youth choir matrons at Little Rock Baptist Church. Ruby was also a member of Soria City Court #108.

Ruby worked many years as a housekeeper on the MS Gulf Coast, a seamstress at Gulf Coast Apparel, a cosmetologist at Rosilyn's Beauty Salon, and a direct care worker at South Mississippi Regional Center. After retirement, she began caring for children of a few relatives and close friends. "Aunt Ruby" (as she was affectionately called by many who knew her) cared for and helped to raise several children who remained dear to her heart including Mariah "MeMe" Avery, Tito "TJ" Avery, Majoiri "MJ" Avery, Jayla "Tootie" Daniels, Christian Lamont Hall, and Paige Gary.

Ruby was a lover of soul food, cooking, sewing, yard work, children, thrift shopping, and helping others. She was known for her delicious homemade biscuits and chicken and dumplings. She also took great pleasure in growing and caring for plants.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Clara Mae (Sherman) Adkins, Timothy (Eartha) Rushing, Rosie May Rushing, Georgia (Gene) Expose, Bertha Lee (Roy) Lenoir, Brenda (JW) Robinson, and Rufus Rushing; in-laws Eddie Mack Daniels, Sr., Iantha Magee, Lorraine Gates, Rosilyn Eberhart, and Mass "Flea" Daniels.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband Lucious "Butch" Daniel; children Tracy (Muhammad) Daniel-Hardy, Andrea "Tigar" Daniels; siblings Edward Rushing of New Orleans, LA, Selena Kellier of New Haven, Connecticut, Modell "Bert" (James) Haynes of New Orleans, LA, Modine Williams of New Orleans, LA, Avis (Earl) Toler of Tylertown, MS, Alice Garrison of Houston, TX, Grace (Bob) Lenoir, Hampton Rushing of Kokomo, MS; grandchildren Mariah Daniels, Andre "Rome" Daniels, Asante Daniels, and Laila Daniels; in-laws Wendell (Judy) Daniels, Sr., Ruthie McInnis Casey, Alice (Danny) Haynes, Margaret Marshall, Rosemary Burns, and Robert McCord, Sr.; special nephew Mark Eberhart, Goddaughter, Candace (Brandon) Jacobs, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.