Ruby Cordelia Howard, 94, of Long Branch, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Dec. 3, 2019 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
Born on October 29, 1925 in Philadelphia to George Bernard Worrell and Lucille Reed Worrell. Ruby was a lifelong resident. She was a Long Branch High School Class of 1944 graduate with Frank Pallone Sr., which she proudly explained. She studied Business Management at Brookdale Community College and Newark State College. Ruby worked at Fort Monmouth for over 48 years, retiring as an Inventory Management Specialist.
She married Albert B. Howard and they were blessed with one son, Albert Jr. Ruby was a member of Second Baptist Church, Long Branch until her marriage in 1947, when she joined her husband at Trinity AME Church. The couple worked for the Long Branch community by serving on the boards of Head Start and MCAP. After her husband's death, Ruby continued their tradition of service. She served as secretary on Check-Mate's Board of Trustees and was a member of Blacks In Government (BIG), an emeritus member of the Fort Monmouth Office of Equal Opportunity Emphasis Program, National Association of Retired Federal Employees member and a lifetime NAACP member. For a number of years, she hosted and planned the annual Black History Program for the Long Branch Senior Center.
Although she loved to serve her community, her first priority was her immediate and extended family and friends; often providing a safe haven for friends in need. Ruby was gregarious, outspoken, loyal, passionate, stubborn, funny and feisty. No one who came in contact with her would remain a stranger. She loved to cook, bake and entertain. Her backyard cookouts and reunions remain legendary. Another favorite pastime was traveling, especially to conferences and meetings where she could spend time with like-minded people. Most of all, she loved to laugh.
Ruby was predeceased by her parents, husband and son; and her brother George Bernard "Bernie" Worrell Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory one sister Yvonne Clayton of Asbury Park; daughter-in-law Cynthia Howard, granddaughters Domonique and Alexus; great-grandchildren Nyla and Zion all of Somerset; a sister-in-law Judie Worrell and nephew Bassl Worrell, both of Everson, WA; a goddaughter Sheila Wiggins of Baltimore, MD; special companions Modestine Jenkins, Ella Brown and David Richardson and many other relatives and friends.
The Manner by the Sea in Ocean Grove was Ruby's home during the last years of her life. She often commented on how well they treated her and how happy she was to be there; saying she "felt like a diva being waited on hand and foot."
Her lifelong motto was "If I can help somebody as I pass this way, my living will not be in vain."
