Ruby Mills

Ruby Truitt Mills, 93, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 6:03 pm. She was born on February 5, 1922, the eldest child born to the late Howard King Truitt and Marguerite Ellen (Purnell) Truitt of Snow Hill, Maryland. She was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and often attended Mills Memorial Baptist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. However; Ruby enjoyed the fellowship and church families of many local churches, as she was always welcomed with open arms. Ruby received her formal education in the public schools of Worcester County and graduated, Class of 1939, which was the first graduating class of the “new” Worcester High School, then located on Ross Street, in Snow Hill, Maryland. She learned many of life’s lessons being raised on the Truitt Family Farm which taught her that hard work and discipline would prepare her for life away from the farm. On May 11, 1942, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Colmon Samuel Mills for more than 51 years until his death on August 10, 1993. To this union they were blessed with five daughters: Barbara, Grace, Mable (Nell), Jacqueline (Jackie), and Ruby (Fuzzy). Ruby loved her family, travel, the outdoors, her flowers and yard work which she attended to well into her 80’s. She also adored everything “purple” and being independent and driving about town. She was “slow” but sure to reach her destination safely. She earned many accolades in her lifetime which made her a strong, independent, determined, confident woman. She will be truly missed by her family, friends and acquaintances. She was an active member of the Worcester County Retired Teacher’s Personnel Association and after a rewarding career that spanned over 35 years with the Worcester County Board of Education, she retired in 2006. She was a teacher’s assistant at Snow Hill Elementary School and it was truly a labor of love as she assisted the teachers, staff, and students. After retirement she continued to work with the Worcester County Haven House Afterschool Program. Her extended family, friends, and colleagues at Snow Hill Elementary School continued to shower her with love and support. Since 2014 she attended the Worcester County Snow Hill Senior Center which she truly enjoyed. Prior to her rewarding career, she was employed in the poultry industry in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Cherished memories remain with her daughters, and their families: Barbara (Curtis) Edwards of Cheltenham, Maryland, Grace (Stephen) Dennis of Pocomoke, Maryland, Mable Marshall and Jacqueline (Oliver, Sr.) Jackson of Salisbury, Maryland and Ruby (Marvin) Purnell of Snow Hill, Maryland; two sisters, Anna Purnell of Berlin, Maryland and Mable (Conwell) Foreman of Salisbury, Maryland and one sister-in-law, Elise Truitt of Snow Hill, Maryland. Also mourning their loss are nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings: Effie Purnell, Marie Waters, Carolyn Aline Handy, Thomas Truitt, Sr., and Luther Truitt. It is with appreciation that we, the family, thank you “for loving and caring” for our Mom. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruby Mills , please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Ruby Mills

February 5, 1922 - August 25, 2015