Obituary of Ruby Nell Strickland-Williams

The sun rose on the life of Sister Ruby Nell Strickland-Williams on October 2, 1932 in Milan, Tennessee when she was born to Mr. Elam and Ida Mae Dixon. The youngest of two children, Ruby had one brother, Elam. An active and competitive child, she was always doing what her brother did that he thought she couldn't do. She always managed to outdo him! Educated in the public school system, Ruby graduated from Gibson County Training School in Milan. Ruby was first united in marriage with Welton Leon Strickland. The couple met on her mother's front porch in Chicago, Illinois. The marriage of 34 years was loving. To this union was born one daughter, Pamela. Sadly, Mr. Strickland passed in 1980. She was later united in marriage with L.J. Williams in Denver, Colorado. Theirs was a loving marriage until his passing in 2008. Pamela remembers her mother as amazing, smart and loving Jesus with all her heart. "She spoke about him always and lived it." Her grandchildren, Bryton and Gabriel remember "Gamma Ruby" always told the truth whether you liked it or not. She taught them to follow Jesus, honor their parents, do good in school, make something of yourself, work hard and listen to the word of God first. "Grandma didn't like lazy people and she loved to eat at Furr's and Golden Corral." A woman of deep faith in God, in later years, Ruby was an active member of New Testament Church Holiness in Denver under Pastor Lee Harris. She served the Lord and her church as an evangelist missionary, leading the testimonial service and was always active in bringing people to Jesus, playing the organ and tambourine. She moved as the Holy Spirit led her. By profession, Ruby had a housecleaning service. She took great pride in making homes sparkle. She was known for hard work, excellence and being a joy to work with. After her retirement, she became involved with home health care. In her free time, Ruby enjoyed family, friends, learning music, westerns, mystery shopping (understatement), road travel and bringing people to discipleship for Christ. "She traveled to Chicago every year alone until after she was 83." Her friends loved her for her music, evangelism, leading people back to Christ and her spunk. "Ruby was fiercely independent." She was always lively, full of fire and classy. She loved to dress in her fancy shoes, hats and purses. Ruby was known for her zeal, wisdom and intuitiveness. "You couldn't get anything past her, no matter what." "Ruby was an amazing woman. She loved to lift up the name of Jesus whenever she could. She knew how to take care of business; both godly business and business business. She was an accountant without a degree. She could add up quicker than you putting it on paper. She was strong and strong willed. She maintained her grass and flowers until earlier this year." Her love, faith and joy in life will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have known this beautiful lady. To know Ruby was to love her. The sun set on the life of Sister Ruby Nell Strickland Williams in her daughter's arms on November 16, 2017 when the Lord called her home to eternal rest. She is preceded in death by two husbands, her parents and her brother. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Pamela (Derrick) Hicks-Washington; grandchildren, Bryton Washington and Gabriel Hicks; spiritual daughter; Theresa Johnson in Dolton, IL; newly appointed spiritual son, Phillip Harris and family; close cousin in Nashville, TN, JoAnne Rodgers; and a host of cousins, other relatives and many friends.