Ruth Elizabeth Taylor (Stokes)

With construction of her heavenly mansion completed, the Lord called from labor unto reward, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, Ruth Elizabeth Stokes Taylor. She took up residence on Friday, January 12, 2018. Ruth was born on Thursday, June 17, 1937 in Carrsville, Virginia to the late Jasper Lee and Kate Lee Rawlings Stokes. She received her education in Suffolk Public Schools where she was consistently an honor student. Ruth graduated from East Suffolk High School with the great class of 1954. While a teenager, she was mesmerized by Jesse Riddick Yates of Suffolk, VA and together they parented two daughters, Paula Delphine and Kermethia Antoinette. Following her mother to Seaford, Delaware, she was employed for a short time by Caroline Poultry and Stewarts Cleaning Service. Attempting to better her life, she moved to New Jersey where she completed and excelled in secretarial business school. At the same time, she was working full time at Ronco Toys (now known as Toys R Us). After that, she worked at Ford Motor Company alongside her father, uncles and cousins. When she returned to Seaford, Delaware, she met and married Airman Leonard “Stick” Taylor, in 1964. To this union was born a third daughter, Cammi Nanette. After a short time, the family relocated to Dover, Delaware, and Ruth began her employment journey with Delaware State College. She held various positions on campus serving as secretary to the faculty, Secretary for the Executive Assistant to the President and her final post as Executive Secretary to the President of Delaware State College. Ruth gained an impeccable reputation in her years at Delaware State University. She was a mentor to many, a confidante, an honest, trustworthy individual, with a kind nature and a pleasing personality. She was well known for her wit and sense of humor. Her witty expressions were lovingly referred to as “Ruthisms” and she had one for every occasion. Ruth had a generous heart and would never see anyone go hungry or be left out in the cold. Back in the day, Rev. Coleman, the chaplain at Delaware State and a counselor, would always touch base with her regarding temporary housing for students. Even while raising her granddaughter, Brittany, she rarely, if ever, said no. She took her role as surrogate mother very seriously and was “Mama T” to so many. Her talents extended outside of the job, and for several years she served as recording secretary under the leadership of Bishop L. T. Blackshear, who was the state Bishop of COGIC for Delaware. As a Sunday School teacher for several years, her many students received the benefit of her firm, but loving discipline and her intense knowledge of the scriptures. Another talent was her creative flair for naming children. She named all of her sisters’ children and other friends’ children as well. In 1996, she graduated cum laude from Delaware State University, after seeing her children attend and graduate as well. She retired, after 38 years of service, in 2001. Ruth loved spending time with family, attending church and watching her westerns. She was a proactive and faithful member and a church Mother of Frontline Ministries. After retirement, “Ruthie” spent lots of time laughing and loving with her Breakfast Besties. She was preceded in death by her father, Jasper Lee Stokes; mother Kate Lee Jenkins; a sister, Velvet Lee Norwood and a brother, Rev. Dr. Jule Jenkins, Jr. Left behind to cherish her memory forever are daughters, Paula Delphine Stokes of Dover, DE; Kermethia Stokes Armstrong (Gilbert) of Lanham, MD; Cammi Nanette Taylor of Dover, DE, two granddaughters, Brittany Taylor Williams of Dover, DE; Quinn Stokes Armstrong Ball (Howard) of Largo, MD; a grandson, Julius Armstrong of Lanham, MD; and one great-grandson who was her “best boy,” Jasiah Davis, who resided with her. She also leaves her nieces, Tegra Robinson (Michael) of Dover, DE; Karlyn Johnson of Philadelphia, PA; and Siobhan Jenkins of New Jersey; nephews, Darryl Norwood of Hyattsville, MD; Kendric Norwood (Tanya) of Bear, DE and Jule Jenkins, III of New Jersey; a sister-in-law Carolyn Jenkins of New Jersey; a special “son” Stephen Williams of Upper Marlboro, MD; and a multitude of special angel cousins, nieces, nephews, very special friends and caregivers. In the words of Ruth: My last few days on Earth I didn’t feel “worth a cuss.” “That “John Brown” cancer thought it had the best of me, but thank God I had no pain and I am now resting in the arms of Jesus.” Lovingly Submitted The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Elizabeth Taylor (Stokes), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Ruth Elizabeth Taylor (Stokes)

June 17, 1937 - January 13, 2018