Ruby Mae Charles Thomas

Ruby Mae Charles was born on January 1, 1942; third child to the late Harvey Charles and Ruby Olivia Sharpe Charles, in Roxobel, North Carolina. She had two big brothers, Willie Winfred Charles, and James Waddell Charles; and one baby sister, Frances Ann Charles. Ruby suddenly without warning departed this life on November 27, 2010, while attending her school reunion in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She was 68 years old. Ruby Charles, as she was affectionately called by her classmates; or RuMae, as she was called by anyone who lived on the Railroad :>), matriculated through the Bertie County School System. She attended Roxobel Elementary School on the Railroad, and later attended and graduated from John B. Bond High School in Lewiston, NC. Her favorite teacher was Mrs. Artis. Ruby played basketball through high school. She was named Best Athlete in her senior year. While in high school, Ruby met Copell Askew of Lewiston, NC. Together they had their first child, Sheila Theresa. Ruby Charles was an outstanding typist, and aspired to be a secretary. She loved her school, and was always very proud of being a part of the legacy of John B. Bond High School Class of 1959. After graduating high school, Ruby followed her big brothers, and moved north to Paterson, NJ. In Paterson, Ruby met and married James Thomas of Kinston, NC. Together they had Sharleen, Co-Sandra, Valerie Jeannette, James Anthony and La-Quanda. While living in Paterson, she worked for Spotless Cleaners, Little Falls Laundry, and North Jersey Training School. Ruby later moved to the Bronx, NY, and was employed by Associated Supermarkets. She became the head cashier, and was later promoted to bookkeeper of C-Town Supermarkets. She worked for the company for almost 15 years. It was during this time that she met and married William Anderson, and moved to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Upon her return to the states in 1986, Ruby was re-hired at North Jersey Training School, which had been re-named North Jersey Developmental Center in Totowa, NJ. Ruby worked as a Cottage Training Technician (CTT). She was known to her co-workers as Anderson. It was not long before Anderson proved herself to be an invaluable employee. She was punctual, dependable, and compassionate; and always gave the best care to her clients. While at NJDC, Ruby gained the love and respect of both her superiors and her peers. Her supervisors appreciated her hard work and dedication to the job; however, because of her strong personality; on occasion they had to ask her if she would let them be in charge of her today :>). Ruby retired from NJDC in June 2009, after giving more than 24 years of service to the clients in B-Wing. When Ruby moved back home to Bertie County, namely Kelford, she was so excited! She found herself re-bonding with family and friends. Ruby accepted Christ and was baptized in Sandy Branch Baptist Church at an early age. She began attending church on a regular basis; and had become an avid bible school student. Her home was her pride and joy, and that is evident when you walk in the door. It didn't take long before RuMae would be found planting flowers in the yard, or making preserves in the kitchen. Ruby always had a hobby. She learned to sew and took pleasure in sewing for her family and friends. In the 70's, probably everyone she knew all wore one of her dashikis. Man, did we look good! One year, she even made winter coats for all of her kids. She was really good! As her skill developed, she decided to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She received a two year degree in Fashion Design. Ruby was an entrepreneur who always had something going. She sold Avon for a while, and then made it to the Diamond and Emerald level with Popular Club Plan. Ruby later took to doing puzzles. The more challenging, the more determined she was to complete them. Having come from an athletic family, Ruby had a love of sports. While living in New York she became an avid Yankees fan. If Ruby is watching the Yankees, she may not answer the phone when you call; but if there is a good play on the field, she will call you! Good or bad, win or lose; she loved them Yankees; and acted like Derek Jeter was the second coming. She called him her son. Since its inception, one thing you could depend on was Ruby Charles being in attendance at the John B. Bond High School Reunion. She looked forward to it with great anticipation. She was always so excited, and she was serious about it! She dieted, worked out and spent quality time planning what she was going to wear. She was going, and she was gonna' enjoy herself. How wonderful that God saw fit to allow her one last school reunion to take with her. Over the years, Ruby opened her home to so many who needed help. Although she didn't have much, her heart was big, and she shared it freely with anyone in need. Be it shelter; food; a job at C-Town; or a ride back home in "Big Red" (her Chevy Impala); Ruby was more than happy to lend a hand. Her family loved and depended on her; her cousins adored her; and her classmates and teachers, co-workers and friends respected her. Although there are so many people whom she loved and who loved her; we want to mention her dear, dear friend, Earl Mitchell; and her best friend and partner in crime, Audrey Lee Charles. Oh, what will Thelma do without Louise? Ruby Mae Charles Thomas was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Ruby Olivia Charles; her brothers Willie and Waddell Charles; and her grandson, George Kevyn Washington. She leaves to mourn her absence six children; Sheila Theresa Charles Washington of Greensboro, NC; Sharleen Thomas of Jacksonville, NC; Co-Sandra Thomas of Monroe, NC; Valerie Jeannette McNair of Kinston, NC; James Anthony "Tony" Thomas of Roxobel, NC, and La-Quanda Thomas of Kinston, NC. Ruby was instrumental in raising her niece, Sabrina Michelle Charles and her nephew, Timothy Cordell "Corey" Charles, both of Sacramento, CA. Also left to cherish her memory is her baby sister, Frances Ann Charles of Syracuse, NY; her mother-in-law, Annie Mae Thomas of Kinston, NC; three sisters-in-law: Jean (Willie) Charles of Murfreesboro, NC; Audrey Lee (Waddell) Charles of The Bronx, NY; Willie Mae Thomas of Kinston, NC; and one brother-in-law, Donald Thomas of Kinston, NC. She practically fostered Denise Keyes of the Bronx, NY and Keith Holliday, of Clinton, NC. Ruby loved and adored her 12 grandchildren; namely, Kurtis Thomas, La-Keisha Washington, Kenneth Thomas, Persia Washington, Sytia James, Octavia McNair, Devon McNair, Michael Thomas, Shylia Montague, Mycheal Montague, James Anthony "TJ" Thomas Jr., and Derrick Koonce. She had five great-grand children; namely, Nykyla, Bakari, Nazmir, Zion, and Zavier; and a whole host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. To say that Ruby Charles will be missed is an understatement. Ruby was more than a daughter; more than a mother; more than a sister; more than a cousin; more than an aunt; more than an in-law; more than a classmate; more than a co-worker; more than a friend. Ruby Charles was the glue that kept us together. Her heart was big, and that was evident to anyone who had the good fortune to cross her path. She loved the Lord, and she showed you better than she could tell you. Blessed be the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love. There will forever be a void that we will all struggle with how to fill. She can never be replaced. She will never be forgotten. Although we know the sun will shine again, those of us who have been left behind can only see the world in Misty Blue.