Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown, also affectionately known as Ruthie, Aunt Ruthie, or Ma Ruth to many, was born at City Island Hospital on May 6, 1930. She was the only child of Treavers and Dora Torrance. The family relocated to Jersey City, New Jersey, where Ruthie was educated in the Public-School System and graduated from Snyder High School in 1950.

On November 28, 1953, she married the love of her life, Leon "Farmer" Brown and from that union, their only child Monica Brown was born. After 13 years of marriage due to the untimely death of Farmer, Ruthie became a young widow and a single parent.

At the time of Farmer’s death, Ruthie worked at Emerson Radio and T.V., where she remained for 14 years. She continued to seek better opportunities and acquired a job at Western Electric, where she worked for more than seventeen years. Her next position was with the Board of Education in the Special Education Department, where Ruthie worked with special needs children as a Teacher’s Aide. Ruthie’s final place of employment was The Hudson County Court House, where she processed gun permits and expunged criminal records. During her tenure at the Court House, Ruthie assisted many who did not know how to clear their records. She graciously shared her knowledge of the expungement process with all, especially, young adults so they would not become victims of the system and have better opportunities in life. She always encouraged them to believe in themselves and not settle for street life.

Ruthie retired in 1995 and devoted her time to sick and shut-in seniors. She assisted them with their shopping, cooking and helped them to relocate when required. Ruthie was always involved in an activity, challenging herself and constantly learning new things; age did not defy her. She took Yoga, dance, and computer classes and worked as a guide on the Ferry at Liberty State Park. Ruthie even enrolled in a class at the Culinary Arts Institute at Hudson Community College and earned a certificate in French Cuisine. She was a great cook, and one of her specialties was spaghetti with crabs. You could always see her at Jersey City community events, concerts, and readings at the Jersey City Public Library. She loved going on bus rides, listening to Jazz, and attending shows at Lincoln Park, Martin Luther King Boulevard, and Arlington Gardens. Ruthie always looked and dressed impeccably; she wore pearls or a gold necklace with a cardigan sweater set. Her best accessory was her beautiful smile. The only thing that would take that smile away was: if you arrived 15 minutes early to attend an outing with her; according to Ruthie’s standards, you were already late because she was a stickler when it came to being on time for an appointment. She held a robust presence in the local political arena and was a strong advocate for issues that would benefit her community. Above all, Ruthie was a woman of faith; she always looked to God first for guidance. Ruthie remained a member of Monumental Baptist Church for more than 60 years and was a Mother of the Church. Her other significant accomplishments include: Participating in a Class Action Lawsuit against Western Electric Kearney Works regarding pay equity for women; Mayor Cunningham’s Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year Award (May 2003); Citation from Mayor Brett Schundler for Outstanding Performance by a Senior (May 1998); Volunteer Core for the Annual Youth and Senior Arts Program; a Member of the Tenant Screening Committee, Arlington Gardens Tenant Association; and a Member, New Outlook Telecom Pioneers. She also served as a Notary Public for many years, and she was a “Great Mom.”

Years after Farmer’s death, Ruthie met Emmett Edward Brown, known as “Brown.” Brown was her companion for more than 30 years, and both shared the same surname. They loved to travel, drove to Florida, annually and were together until his death in April of 2010.

Ruthie moved to Washington, DC in 2014, where she resided with her daughter, Monica, and her son-in-law, Fred. While living in DC, Ruth attended the Art & Wellness Center at Iona. While attending Iona, Ruth took art therapy classes and was a Featured Artist during a Group Art Exhibition at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, September - December 2016. One of her paintings, entitled The Long Road Home, made the cover of the Collection Program.

Ruthie is predeceased by her parents; husband, Leon “Farmer” Brown; long-time companion Emmett E. “Brown” Brown; and beloved sister Thelma Stokes and her daughter Debra Stokes. She leaves to cherish her fond memory, a daughter, Monica; and dearly loved son-in-law Fred Oladeinde; a host of cousins; adopted nieces and nephews; and friends.