Ruby A. Vernon

Ruby Adelaide Hurst Vernon, affectionately known as "Abuela" and "TiTi Ruby", was born on 12/14/1923 in Santurce, a small town near San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was the youngest child of Elizabeth Codrington Hurst and Francis Hurst, who had 5 children, George, Edgar, Ivy, Alfonso, and Ruby. Ruby's parents were from St John's Antigua where they migrated to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to work as a chauffeur and housekeeper for a veterinarian on the island.
When Ruby was 4 years old, her mother relocated to the USA on the ship "Coamo" with her five children to Harlem, New York City. Ruby attended PS 136 and graduated from Central Commercial High School on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan.
As a teenager, Ruby was in a local girls club called "The Le Cordelliettes". During those days, young people engaged in fun activities, such as church sponsored boat rides, where the teenage girls would bring homemade dishes. It was on one of these boat rides that Ruby met Hank, her future husband. The girls shared their food with some of the boys that did not bring anything to eat; Hank tasted her potato salad and proclaimed "I'm going to marry whoever made this potato salad". One thing led to another and they married on January 11,1942. Shortly thereafter, they had their 1st child, Hayden that November. Hank went off to war in 1942, and a few years after he returned from the Army, they welcomed another child, Yvette in 1947. In 1948, with help of the GI bill, they purchased a home in St Albans, Queens, New York where they set out to raise their family. They were then blessed with the births of two more daughters, Kim and Roxane. After several years, Ruby and Hank parted ways and Ruby endeavored to raise her four children on her own.
As a single mother, she was very skillful, sometimes making home repairs herself. She was fearless and keen when negotiating with contractors, such as plumbers and carpenters.
Ruby has always been an unstoppable force, holding several jobs. She worked at the Ideal Toy Factory while simultaneously working at Chock Full O'Nuts in NYC as a waitress in the evenings. Looking to advance herself, she studied and passed the civil service exam and was hired by the NYC Board of Education located in Long Island City - Queens. She continued to work two jobs, days and nights, until she retired in 1995 at age 72.
Ruby valued many ideals. Most important to her, was education, and she encouraged her children to pursue their learning. To her credit, all four children earned college degrees and enjoy successful careers. Ruby attempted to continue her own education; she enrolled at York College to take Social Work courses.
Ruby also supported political/community issues, volunteering to work campaigns for black candidates, such as Percy Sutton in 1977, who ran for NYC mayor. To her, it was important to vote in elections in order to improve conditions in our country. In the 1940's, she actually wrote a letter to the Amsterdam News, a local newspaper concerning discrimination in the military, something that was unheard of in those days to be done by a woman.
She volunteered with her daughters in important causes, such as supporting Safe and Sound of Somerset, a domestic violence shelter in New Jersey.
Ruby also believed in the value of travel. She took her children on trips to Canada, Puerto Rico, Antigua, Jamaica, Hawaii, the Holy Lands in Egypt, Israel, and Rome; she even ventured a solo trip to Japan.
Ruby was committed to preserving our Puerto Rican culture. She taught many family members how to make our special Spanish dishes, such as arroz con pollo, pasteles, and her famous potato salad, and could always be relied upon to share the recipes and prepare them for numerous occasions. Everything she made, was always delicious because she believed in the power of garlic!
She was blessed with several talents. One of her early jobs was working as a seamstress in Harlem, sewing dresses, coats, and draperies. She could be counted on to sew the most perfect hem on any garment.
Ruby also valued family, young and old. For years, she opened her home to care for her aging mother, who lived to 92 years of age.
And equally, important, she was entrusted with caring for several of her grandchildren. After retirement, Ruby was always available to support her adult children, whether it be babysitting or picking up her grandchildren from school to lend a helping hand.
It's a well-known fact, that Ruby was a longtime fan of Johnny Mathis. She would attend many of his concerts and be transformed from a grown woman into a 14 year old girl, starstruck for her favorite heart throb idol. She never outgrew her love of his music. She later became a big fan of Kenny G, the jazz saxophone player.
Throughout her life, she was completely devoted to her faith, enrolling her children in parochial school so they were educated/blessed in the sacraments. Like her own mother, she would faithfully listen and watch mass daily and the Mother Angelica show on the EWTN TV Channel. Abuela ended all our conversations with "Dios Te Bendiga" – God Bless You.
Ruby also knew her own value, always carrying herself with grace and class, never a swear or a curse word coming from her lips, never complaining about her circumstance, and always wanting quality. She took pride in her appearance, always looking stylish. She would say that although we did not have much and were poor, we did not have to look "pobrecita". Abuela set the standard of a strong, independent, adventurous, courageous, and giving daughter/sister/mother/grandmother/woman.
A ruby is a precious gem, a symbol of beauty, strength, and value. Maybe Ruby's mother somehow knew that would define her daughter when she gave her that name.
And for what she's been, we honor Abuela for demonstrating what dignified Black womanhood/Black motherhood should be. She will always be loved and missed.
Ruby leaves children (Hayden, Yvette, Kim, Roxane), grandchildren (Brian, Paul, Mallory, Lanah, Hayden, Stacey, Edward), great grand children (Eddie, Marcus, Melania, Lenox, London), nieces and nephews (Ellie, Ana, Saundra, Celeste, Ellen), grand nieces and nephews (Anthony, Elizabeth, Susanna, Donnie, Bobby, Angelique, Deneen, Darlene, Felicia), many great-grand nieces/nephews (Daniela, Briana, Isabela, Rubin, Kayla, Jordan, Anna Pauline, Alexis, Robert), more family (Chauncey, Francois, Bisa, Chauncey Yeager, Brandon, Jaden, Michele, Daniele, Michael) and a host of friends, who will miss her vibrant spirit. May she rest in peace as she rejoins her parents and siblings (George, Edgar, Ivy, Alfonso), niece, Diane and grandson, Bryan in heaven, never again to feel pain, but only happiness in God's loving hands.
The family would like to express its gratitude and appreciation for all the love and support we've received during these difficult days. We wish you loving memories of our dear mother, Ruby.