Ruby Lee Terry

October 3, 1949 - November 14, 2025

It is with deep love and reverence that we honor the life of Ruby Terry, a woman whose devotion to God shaped every chapter of her journey. Ruby walked through this world with a heart anchored in faith — always seeking God, always striving to live according to His purpose, and always carrying a compassion that reflected His love.

Born on October 3, 1949, in Fort Benning (Columbus, Georgia), Ruby was the cherished daughter of Solomon R. Terry, a proud military veteran, and Cherry L. Terry, a devoted caregiver. Their values of service, strength, and compassion became the foundation for the woman Ruby would become.

Ruby graduated from Seaside High School, where her journey into motherhood began with the birth of her first child, Tracy Terry. Even as a young mother, Ruby’s determination and resilience were unmistakable.

In 1970, Ruby met a young serviceman named Tommy Hill. Their union blessed Ruby with her second child, Tommy Hill, born in 1972. Later that same year, Ruby and Tommy Sr. moved to Los Angeles, California, where they began the next chapter of their lives. By the mid-1970s, the couple both worked for Bethlehem Steel, contributing to one of America’s historic industrial giants. In late 1978, Ruby and Tommy parted ways, closing one chapter and opening another.

In the early and mid-1980s, Ruby discovered her true gift — caring for others. She became a Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide, a field where she thrived. Her compassion, patience, and strength made her a natural caregiver, and she poured her heart into the work.

In 1986, Ruby became a foster parent, beginning a lifelong commitment to protecting and nurturing children. She offered safety, guidance, and love to those in need, driven by a fierce dedication to saving children no matter the sacrifice.

Ruby continued to expand her legacy when she moved to Palmdale, California, in 1990, building a life centered on faith, family, and service. In the early 2000s, she opened her heart even wider by adopting six beautiful children, giving them a forever home built on love and stability.

Before her career in caregiving, Ruby also worked as a civilian service worker at Fort Ord, demonstrating her strong work ethic and commitment to providing for her family even as a young adult.

Ruby was a devoted mother whose love, strength, and faith shaped her children:

Tracy Terry

Tommy Hill

Percy Pickett

Anthony Perkins

Maurice Holley

Erica Terry

Catherine Terry

Abdul Shabazz

They are each living reflections of her resilience, her compassion, and her unwavering belief in fighting for what is right.

Preceded in Death By:

Her parents, Cherry Terry and Solomon Terry,

Her children, Tommy Hill and Catherine Terry,

Her brothers are Jerry Terry, Dennis Terry, and Andrae Terry.

Survived By:

Her beloved children, Tracy Terry, Percy Pickett, Anthony Perkins, Maurice Holley, Erica Terry, and Abdul Shabazz,

Her brother Solomon Terry,

10 grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who cherish her deeply.

Ruby’s presence uplifted others not through loudness, but through her warmth, wisdom, and quiet authority. Her faith was her compass. Her strength was her testimony. Her love was her greatest gift to the world.

Though her passing leaves a space that cannot be filled, her spirit remains alive in the hearts of those she touched. Ruby’s light will continue to guide us — steady, powerful, and God-driven. She lives on in our memories, in our stories, and in the example she set: a life of unwavering faith, fearless love, and wholehearted service.assing leaves a space that cannot be filled, her spirit remains alive in the hearts of those she touched. Ruby’s light will continue to guide us — steady, powerful, and God-driven. She lives on in our memories, in our stories, and in the example she set: a life of unwavering faith, fearless love, and wholehearted service.