May 11, 1943 ~ July 30, 2020

Retired postal worker was active in church and community

Ruth Ann Browder was born May 11, 1943, the second child of Raymond A. and Ruth A. Harding. She was fond of both parents but was especially a daddy‘s girl. Ruth was baptized as a child at her mother’s church, Cory United Methodist Church where she sang in the young adult choir, but later joined her father’s church, Mt. Zion Congregational. She was a charter member of the T.M.T.M. Juniors that initiated and hosted the church’s annual Palm Sunday Dinner. She was a Safiri Rites of Passage Elder and helped facilitate the Family Dinners. She also coordinated the youth group’s Annual Soul Food Dinners, along with her sister, Mary.

Ruth attended Central State University after her graduation from Glenville High School. Her marriage produced three children who were her joy and happiness. As a single parent, she was very supportive to her son as an active Den Mother for her son’s Boy Scout troop. She also served as a PTA room mother in her children’s schools.

Ruth was an avid collector of celebrity autographs, a hobby she started at age 3. A special moment in her life was when she got the chance to speak with her teenage crush, the singer Sam Cooke.

Never one to be idle, Ruth appeared as an actress at Karamu in “The King And I” and also performed in “Remarkable Incident” at Glenville. For a time Ruth was an avid bowler; she won numerous trophies over the years and even appeared on the local Bowling For Dollars television show.

She retired from the United States Postal Service after more than 30 years. She enjoyed traveling with her sister Mary all over the country.  In her spare time, Ruth enjoyed sewing her own clothes, especially fancy evening wear. She also loved playing video games. In her final years, she enjoyed new friendships made at the Gunning Recreation Center. Those special friends supported her through the end of her life.

Ruth was a major benefactor and supporter of her family’s yearly reunion. As a mom, Ruth enjoyed giving her all for her children to make sure they were happy. She was also financially supportive to her grandchildren with their extracurricular activities. Ruth loved taking care of her three children, three grandchildren, and her many pets.

Ruth is survived by her son Gregory Alan Browder; daughter, Jocelyn Marie Taylor and spouse Kevin Taylor, daughter, Vicki Browder-Johnson and spouse Mark Johnson; three
grandchildren, Minister Jeffrey Williams, Gena Taylor, and Vivian Johnson; her sister, Mary
Banks; four nephews, Kenneth McDavid, Weldon McDavid, Jeremy Harding, and Michael Harding; a great-nephew, Griffin McDavid and a great-great-nephew, Braylon Nelson; and a host of many other cousins and relatives.

A memorial service was held Sunday, August 9 at Lakeview Cemetery. E. F. Boyd & Son Inc. was entrusted with the arrangements.