“Amee” to her adoring grandchildren, Edith Whitney Ruth was a beacon of warmth, resilience, and unyielding joy—a woman whose 96 vibrant years touched countless lives with her infectious spirit and boundless love. Born on August 13, 1929, at Metropolitan Hospital in the heart of Harlem, Manhattan, New York, Edith entered the world as the cherished daughter of George Whitney and Lena (Angelina) Reglar Whitney, whose Cuban heritage infused their home with vibrant stories and rhythms. Tragically, just a year later, on August 7, 1930, Lena passed away during childbirth, leaving young Edith—a spirited toddler—in the tender care of her devoted father, George, who remained a steadfast pillar of strength and provision throughout her life.

In this time of profound loss, George's and Lena's closest friends, William “Bubba” Troup and Rosa Bell “Nana” Troup, opened their hearts and home as surrogate parents, enveloping Edith in the embrace of the expansive Troup family, originally from Waycross, Georgia. This loving circle nurtured her through childhood, instilling values of community, faith, and unbreakable bonds. Edith's early years were deeply rooted in Harlem's St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, where her Whitney family worshipped, fostering a lifelong devotion to spirituality. As her faith evolved, she embraced a profound belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized on April 18, 1946, at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, under the inspiring leadership of Pastor Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.—a moment that marked her as a woman of quiet conviction and grace.

Edith's youthful energy shone brightly during her school days at Central Commercial High School, where she earned a diploma in Secretarial Studies. With her striking red hair turning heads and her effervescent charm lighting up every room, she was affectionately nicknamed “Frenchie.” Her high school yearbook captured her essence perfectly: “Frenchie is always full of fun, that’s why she’s liked by everyone.” It was amid these formative Harlem streets that she met her childhood sweetheart, “Emerson” Ralph Waldo Ruth, whose steady heart would become her lifelong companion.

On June 18, 1955, Edith and Emerson exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Manhattan, beginning a partnership woven with laughter, shared dreams, and enduring tenderness. The young couple soon relocated to Brooklyn, where they welcomed two precious children: JoLinda and Emerson DeWitt. They built a nurturing home first in Bedford-Stuyvesant, then, in 1966, purchased a cherished brownstone on Sterling Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. There, Edith blossomed as a founding and active member of the Sterling Street Block Association (between Washington and Bedford Avenues), fostering neighborly bonds that turned a street into a family.

Edith's passion for education led her to Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, where she proudly earned an Associate in Arts and a Bachelor of Science. These achievements opened doors to a fulfilling career as a Paraprofessional with the New York City Board of Education, supporting nursery through sixth-grade classrooms in Brooklyn's public schools. To her students, she was more than a teacher's aide—she was a second mother, offering hugs, wisdom, and unwavering encouragement that planted seeds of confidence in young hearts.

Beyond her roles as educator and community pillar, Edith's adventurous soul yearned for the world's wonders. She traversed Bermuda's turquoise shores, savored Spain's sun-drenched plazas and Morocco's bustling souks, marveled at Canada's vast landscapes, relaxed in the charm of Oak Bluffs, and basked in Hawaii's gentle breezes. At home, her joys were simple yet profound: doting on her beloved pets, cheering on game shows with gleeful anticipation, swaying to the rhythm of dances that lit up any room, and calling “Bingo!” with triumphant delight. She also poured her creative heart into sewing, crafting stunning outfits for special events that turned heads and sparked envy—elegant creations born from her skilled hands and imaginative spirit. With the same loving patience, she passed this cherished craft to her daughter JoLinda, sharing late-night lessons at the sewing machine that wove not just fabric, but unbreakable threads of mother-daughter connection and empowerment.

Through it all, Edith was the heartbeat of her circle—a devoted mother whose hugs healed, a grandmother whose stories enchanted, a neighbor whose door was always open, and a friend whose loyalty knew no bounds. Her warmth wrapped around you like a favorite blanket, her honesty cut through pretense with gentle clarity, and her quick wit sparked laughter even in the quietest moments. That signature comic relief, delivered with the fiery flair of her youthful red hair, often evoked the timeless hilarity of I Love Lucy—reminding all who knew her of Lucille Ball's irrepressible spirit, turning mishaps into masterpieces of joy. She was, in every way, a testament to love's quiet power: bold in her courage, generous in her spirit, and forever the source of lighthearted magic that turned ordinary days into cherished memories.

In October 1984, Emerson preceded her in death, leaving a void that Edith filled with grace, carrying his memory like a treasured flame. Yet her light never dimmed; it only grew, illuminating the lives of those she held dear.

Edith's earthly journey drew to a peaceful close in the early hours of Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland, where she had made her home in Bowie. In those final, sacred hours, she was enveloped by the love of her family, slipping gently into the arms of the Lord she served so faithfully.

She leaves behind a legacy of love that defies time: her beloved children, JoLinda Ruth Cogen and her husband, Michael J. Cogen, Sr., and Emerson DeWitt Ruth and his wife, Janice Ruth; her treasured grandchildren, Danielle, Christopher, Whitney, Asha and her husband, Reggie Steele, and Madison; and her six great-grandchildren, who were the sparkle in her eyes—Caliana, Josiah, Dash, Aries, Dyce, and Ayah. Also surviving her are countless cousins from the Whitney and Troup families, scattered like stars across the United States; her lifelong Sterling Street neighbors; and a tapestry of friends whose lives she enriched beyond measure.

A heartfelt celebration of Edith's extraordinary life will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Highway, Bowie, Maryland 20715. Family and friends are invited to gather at 10:00 a.m., with the memorial service commencing at 11:00 a.m. A repast will follow at the Emerson Ruth residence in Bowie, Maryland, where stories of Amee's laughter and love will flow freely.

Following cremation, Edith will be laid to rest in the family plot at Mt. Holiness Memorial Park Cemetery in Butler, New Jersey, beside her beloved Emerson—reunited at last in eternal peace.

In the words of those who knew her best, Edith Ruth didn't just live; she loved fiercely, laughed boldly, and left us all a little brighter. Though our hearts ache with her absence, we are forever grateful for the gift of her presence. Rest in the joy you so freely gave, dear Amee. Your spirit dances on.

Respectfully Submitted by the Honorable JoLinda Ruth Cogen 10.27.25

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Published by The Baltimore Banner on Oct. 24, 2025.