Mrs. Ruby May Myrie

On Sunday, January 5, 2025, Ruby May Myrie (Wooliston), aged 94, peacefully departed this world to join her Heavenly Father. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grand-mother, great-great grand-mother and servant of God, Ruby lived a life marked by unwavering faith, boundless love, and selfless dedication to her family, church, and community. Ruby was born on March 1, 1930, in St. Ann, Jamaica, to Mary (Robinson) and William Wooliston. She was the second of six children and quickly took on the role of nurturer within her family. Despite her dreams, Ruby made the selfless decision to leave school at an early age to support her younger siblings, ensuring their success and paving the way for their bright futures. Ruby married her soulmate in Simeon Albert Myrie, and together they built a life filled with love and faith. Their union produced three children, and Simeon wholeheartedly embraced Ruby’s eldest daughter, Dawn, as his own. The Myrie household was full of joy and laughter. A woman deeply rooted in her Christian faith, Ruby served faithfully at the Waltham Park Road Church of God in Kingston, Jamaica. When she emigrated to the United States in 1970 to join her husband, parents and her sister, her faith and dedication to the Lord did not change. She became an integral member of Vineland Terrace Church of God in Hartford, CT. Ruby’s dedication to her church was unmatched. She served as an usher, group leader, pastor’s care team member, and building fund coordinator, often going above and beyond to contribute to the ministry. Whether it was selling her famous homemade beef patties and sweet potato pudding or organizing rallies to support the building fund, Ruby was a force to be reckoned with. The membership of Vineland Terrace, grew and Pastor Peter C. Barrett along with some of the members, deed their homes, held rallies, and sold various things for the building fund, which enabled them to secure a deposit for a building. Sis. Myrie (as she was affectionately called) was known for selling out of the trunk of her car; she sold beef patties, cakes, puddings, ginger beer, sodas and juices to help her building fund team remain the winning team. Their steadfast commitment helped the church transition to its new home at 339 Blue Hills Avenue. Ruby continued to serve the church in various capacities; she was a babysitter, she took care of guest speakers and was a faithful prayer mother to the famous Spiritual Crusaders Choir. Ruby also served without formal recognition, taking immense pride in the positions she held at the church. Her tireless efforts earned her the affectionate name “Mother Myrie,” a testament to her nurturing spirit and unwavering devotion to the church community. Ruby’s work ethic extended beyond the church. She was deeply involved in early childhood education and also demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit as a co-founder of United Cleaning and Maintenance alongside Phillip Colley and Valentine Grant. However, her passion for education always held a special place in her heart. Shortly after arriving in the U.S. she started working at The University of Hartford in housekeeping, while working there she adopted some more children and gained the respect of many. You could always find Ruby humming while working and sharing the love of God to all who she came in contact with. The students at the university loved her. Later, she transitioned to the UCONN Health Center in Farmington, CT, where she worked for over 20 years. While at UCONN, she earned a certificate in Early Childhood Development, fulfilling her passion for caring for children. She went on to open her own daycare center in the lower level of her home on Manchester Street, providing a loving and nurturing environment for countless children. Ruby often said, “Pinckney nuh bad, dem just rude,” reflecting her deep love and understanding of children. Ruby retired from UCONN with the golden handshake to fully dedicate herself to her daycare and enjoy the precious time spent with children in her care. Clearly, her legacy of love and kindness extended far beyond her immediate family, touching the lives of everyone she encountered. Mother Myrie relocated to Stone Mountain, GA in August 1995 and continued her selfless service when she joined Covington Hwy COG, now, Voices of Praise New Testament Church of God in Lithonia. She was a beloved member who accepted the gauntlet of being head usher and trained several others to serve in that role. Ruby’s life was a testament to unconditional love. Though she didn’t always wear a smile, her actions spoke volumes about the depth of her love and devotion. She raised her children in the fear of God, imparting values of faith, discipline, and resilience. Her heart of gold shone brightly in the way she cared for her family and community, reflecting Christ’s love in all she did. Ruby was predeceased by her loving husband Simeon Albert, son, Ryland and daughter, Dawn. She leaves behind a rich legacy of faith, love, and service. She is survived by her loving children: Charles “Tony” and his wife Lorna (her bonus daughter) of Decatur, GA; Marcia “Pat” Irving of Windsor, CT; and Kaddeem (Guy) and his wife Sharon of Port Charlotte, FL. She is also survived by her sister, Thelma Wooliston, of Port Charlotte, FL; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, spiritual children, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Mother Myrie will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the faith she inspired. As we celebrate her life, let us honor her memory by embodying the love, faith, and service she so effortlessly demonstrated. May her soul rest in eternal peace. The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Ruby Myrie will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM This service will be recorded and streamed live. If the event is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire event will be uploaded and available to view later in the day. https://vimeo.com/event/4860385

Tributes

Mrs. Ruby May Myrie

March 1, 1930 - January 5, 2025