Ruth Carmen Collier

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Obituary

Ruth Carmen Collier passed away peacefully in Hinesville, Georgia, on January 27th, 2025, at the ripe age of ninety. She was born on October 6th, 1934, in Panamá, to Albertina Gale and Percival Piggott. Ruth was Albertina’s firecracker, with her spunk and love for adventure in life.

Ruth attended Academia Mercantil High School in Panamá, the Republic of Panamá, where she graduated with Honors in Business and Accounting. She also attended sewing school where she became an expert seamstress. After migrating to the United States of America, she later attended the University of District of Columbia and earned a degree in Social Welfare/Social Science. This achievement in education was another proud moment for Ruth and she held this achievement as a core value to later be instilled in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ruth’s education and youth were a major part of her foundation and who she was as a person, but the core of Ruth’s character was embodied by her children and her family.

In 1953, at age 19, Ruth married her first husband, Julian G. Godoy; from this union, she birthed all five of her children. It was from the events of her children’s births; she strived to be the best person she could be. Ruth prided herself in caring for her children and her family. She instilled values in her family such as the gift of giving, care for all people, strength, dignity, and pride. She was a prized care giver and role model for all who met her. One of the most significant turning points in Ruth’s life was marrying her second husband in 1972, John B. Collier, who was a Sergeant (SGT) in the US Army. It was this union that created the path of migration, with her five children in August of 1973 from the Republic of Panamá to Washington, D.C. in the United States of America.

Ruth lived a very full life in the 90 years on this earth. Throughout her lifetime one of her major focuses in life was seeking vast knowledge and working hard. She had a thirst for knowledge, and enjoyed learning, self-reflection, and growth. She held jobs at Bowling Air Force Base in 1974, worked as a public servant case manager in a group home setting, serving female residents (while attending UDC), had a position at the black-owned Harambee House Hotel on Georgia Avenue in 1979 and as a Social Worker at DC General Hospital CDC from which she later retired.

Ruth enjoyed many hobbies such as singing, decorating, gardening, traveling, reading, volunteering and most enjoyably, visiting the casino. She started a food business which consisted of preparing meals for district employees, members of the church, friends and family. Ruth was a remarkable cook, using the teaching lessons from her mom, Alberta Piggott, who was better known as Mama, to foster her deep devotion for cooking. She brought a unique style of cooking to life within her Caribbean and Hispanic cuisine while passing it down to generations in her family who have followed. Ruth also found a love for makeup, where she became a brand ambassador for Mary K Cosmetics. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Washington, D.C. and while enjoying retirement, she began a new journey working for Bread of The City, also located in Washington, D.C.

Ruth was a diligent, hard-working, proud Hispanic, Afro-Latina woman who aspired to leave a legacy of prayer, faith, love, hope and memories for her family and all she encountered. Her most memorable moments wouldn’t be complete without mentioning how proud she was to welcome her grandchildren and great-grandchildren into this world.

Ruth is preceded in joining the Lord by:

Her mother, Albertina Gale and father, Percival Piggott;

Her 5 Siblings, Luis M. Garces, Gwendolyn D. Piggott-Thomas, Persival Piggott, Ana V. Piggott-Dawson, George Piggott, Leon Piggott;

Her Daughter-in-Law, Zolia M. Godoy and

Her Granddaughter, Twyla M. DeCosta.

She is survived by her 5 Children:

Daughters, Loyda X. DeCosta (Previous Spouse(s), Jaime DeCosta &Vernon Smith) and Damaris M. Robinson (Previous Spouse, Reginald Robinson); Sons, Julian G. Godoy (Daughter-in-Law, Janet Godoy), C. Rigoberto Godoy (Previous Spouse, Adrianne Doyle), and Fabio A. Godoy, Sr. (Spouse, Zolia Godoy-deceased); and

Her 14 surviving Grandchildren, Nequai S. DeCosta, Tarsha T. De Costa, Tatiana L. Javier-Godoy (Husband, Jadan Javier), DeAndra X. (Robinson) Stevens (Husband, Marcus M. Stevens), Shauna M. Godoy, Fabio A. Godoy, Jr. (Wife, Noelle Maldonado-Godoy), Joshua R. Godoy (Previous Mate, Antoinette Cottom), Lorenzo A. Godoy (Fiancè, Azaria Warren), Brandon X. Smith, Renaldo A. Godoy, Imani C. Godoy, Aaliyah G. Godoy, Diamantè J. Godoy, Jalen A. Godoy and 29 Great-Grandchildren; in addition to a host of other family and friends who have loved and adored her.

A visitation for Ruth will be held Friday, February 14, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Metropolitan Wesley AME Zion Church, 1712 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20002, followed by a celebration of life from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.