Ruby Maddox Blackwell

MRS. RUBY MADDOX BLACKWELL a resident of Stamford for fifty-four years, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. Mrs. Blackwell was born on December 19, 1931 in Kenbridge, Virginia, one of the ten children of Sallie and Frank Maddox. Having been educated in the local community school system, Ruby was a graduate of Lunenberg High School. Ruby met her beloved husband, Walter, at The Friendship Baptist Church of Kenbridge in 1949. They were joined in holy matrimony in 1951. Of this fifty-seven year marriage three children were born: Walter Thomas, Stephen Maddox and Oneida Lynn. Ruby and Walter relocated to Stamford, Connecticut in 1954. Mrs. Blackwell was initially employed as a nurse's assistant in the Pediatric Department of Stamford Hospital. She later served as a dental hygienist and assistant in the office of Dr. Edward Allen, D.D.S., for a number of years. In the 1970s, she became the first African American woman to earn a realtor's license in Stamford, and is believed to be the first African American person in the city to start her own real estate business. As a professional realtor and entrepreneur, she was the Executive CEO and proprietor of RB Realty. She also officiated as a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, and Bail Bondsman. Mrs. Ruby Blackwell officiated as a member of the Stamford Board of Representatives for the 9th District for a period of over seventeen years. There she served on several special committees. She is survived by her husband, Walter Lee Blackwell of Stamford, a son, Walter Thomas Blackwell and his wife Mary of Wilmington, Delaware; a daughter, Oneida Lynn Blackwell Findley and her husband Jack of Long Beach, California; five grandchildren (Deidre, Bryan, Stephen, Jr., John and Hugh.) She is also survived by three sisters, Sallie Kenloch of Brooklyn, New York, and Easter Webb Epps and Martha Yeats of Kenbridge, Virginia, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members. She was predeceased by her son Stephen Maddox Blackwell, three sisters, Lucille Brown, Sadie Clara Brown and Ella Mae Crump, and three brothers Alphus Maddox, John Henry Maddox and Joseph Maddox. A public viewing will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service to be at 12:00 noon at Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Avenue with Reverend Dr. Robert W. Perry officiating. Interment services will be held at Fairfield Memorial Park.