Ruby S. Williams

Ruby was born August 2, 1946 at home in Dundee, Mississippi to the union of Mary Ella Butler & Willie Linzy whom both preceded her in death. To this union, Ruby was the fourth of five siblings. At five years old, she moved to Cairo, IL where she attended Sumner High School. In 1965 she married the love of her life, Roosevelt Willams, whom preceded her in death and together they had five children. They then moved to Maywood, IL to provide a better life for their children. She later went to Triton College and obtained her nursing degree.
Ruby was kind, soft spoken, funny, God-fearing, generous and above all had a passion for helping others. She retired after 45 years of nursing and nearly 31 years of service at Hines Veteran's Administration Hospital in August 2016. Her peers say she had an unbridled willingness to learn, taking on the lead nurse role for various clinics. She was highly trusted by the collaborating physicians, physician assistants and the Nurse Practitioners for her clinics, who often came to her to resolve patient care issues. She was a valued team member assisting her coworkers at every turn and was the consummate organizer, party planner and friend. She never shied away from dressing in costumes for themed celebrations, attending Christmas parties and even planning parties. But the most endearing of all, she loved watching everyone have a good time. Her birthday parties often were curated for children and consisted of bounce houses, candy and popcorn machines.
Ruby traveled distances near and far and rarely missed an opportunity to celebrate milestones of friends and family including weddings, celebrations of life, graduations, retirements, birthdays and everything in between. She consistently sent 'Happy Friday' text messages to most of her contacts with a cheerful and encouraging image that she downloaded from Pinterest all by herself. If you were to text her on a Thursday afternoon or evening, more likely than not she was working on her part-time job which consisted of drafting these crafty messages. She'd call instead and say, "I got my Happy Friday messages queued up so I can't text you back." Or if you'd ask her what she was doing, more likely than not she'd reply, "getting my Happy Fridays ready to go out." Her crafty messages always came right on time and were truly a labor of love.
Ruby was a faithful and involved member of Living Word Christian Center since 1999. She served in the ministry as a greeter and often volunteered at church events. She enjoyed going to the movies and watching the Lifetime Movie Network at home. She found joy first thing in the morning by first praying and then sitting in the same spot at her kitchen table reading her bible while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee with extra milk and extra sugar. Reading her bible and praying was also the last thing she did before going to bed in the evenings.
Ruby leaves to cherish: Her children, Tracy Lindsay-Chatman (Walter), Roosevelt (Jennell), Monica Jackson and Tyrone (Pam); her brother, Johnnie (Deneen); 24 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Ruby returned to be with the Lord on October 25, 2025. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Vickie; sister, Estella; brothers, Sammy & Willie Lee; and 2 grandsons, Terres & Zamir.