Mrs. Ruby C. (Anderson) Washington

Babies, we are told, are the latest news from heaven. Having made her the 9th child of what would eventually be a large family of 12 children, God was already preparing Ruby for her life’s work. Throughout her 80 years on this earth --- laboring in love for sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, community youth, and church members alike – Ruby embodies the very gift of family.

Born in Purdon, Texas and growing up in the black community of Pelham, Texas, Ruby was a precocious little girl. She had a host of older sisters and brothers from which to grow and learn and was the youngest child for several years until three more children were born and she then had an opportunity to teach them. She applied those lessons to get ahead in school (graduated at the top of her class) and to get in a little trouble (a big talker and leader of the pack amongst her younger, mischievous siblings).

For all the life lessons Ruby learned from having a large family --- how to work as a team, how to speak up, how to give of ones-self for the good of the collective --- there was a lesson from her mother that carried Ruby Catherine Anderson into adulthood:

“Once a job has first begun, never leave it ‘til it’s done.

Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”

~Author Unknown

Having studied at the University of Texas at Arlington and Dallas Baptist University, Ruby excelled as an employee at a number of companies -- including Texas Instruments, LTV Aerospace and the US Post Office. She would eventually start her own successful business: Princess Wedding Services.

In her thirties, Ruby met the love of her life, Edward J. Washington. She married him in 1980 and a few years later joined New Birth Baptist Church in 1984. They both served the church faithfully from that point forward with Sister Washington taking on many roles --- including President of the Mission Department. Whether worshiping from the 3rd pew every Sunday, organizing a church luncheon or providing an encouraging word to younger generations, Ruby loved serving New Birth Baptist Church. Additionally, she was President of the Dallas Regional District Association, General President of the Women’s Missionary Society. She also served the Dallas Coalition of National Women’s Ministry, National Council of Negro Women, the American Legion Auxiliary and the American Cancer Society.

If I can help somebody, as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain.

~Mahalia Jackson

It’s no coincidence many people call Ruby: “Mother Washington”. She brought a strong, nurturing sprit to everyone she encountered and everything she did. She is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Willie Lee and Albert Leroy Anderson and 7 siblings Willie M Jones, James E Anderson, Rosetta Larremore, Mary Davis, Albert L Anderson, Jr, L B Anderson, Aubrey D Anderson. She is survived by four siblings, Mayme Johnson, Pinkie Johnson, Juanita Carter (husband Clarence Carter), and William David Anderson Sr; her stepdaughter-in-law, Yuriko Washington; multiple step-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many others that thought of her as a second mother.