Mrs. Ruth Person

Mrs. Ruth J. Person, 102, passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her bedside on Saturday, November 04, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1207 N. Jefferson Street, Tampa, FL 33602, Rev. Dr. Brett Snowden, Pastor. Interment will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Mrs. Ruth J. Person was actually born on September 30, 1921, to Lewis and Maggie T. Jackson in Loughman, Florida. However, the earliest date of her birth could only be confirmed by a recording in the Jackson Family Bible. Therefore, she used September 30, 1923, as her legal birthday.  She continued to live in Loughman until the early-1930’s before relocating to Tampa, FL.

 Her early years of education were received in both Polk and Hillsborough County Public Schools.  She went on to study at FAMU {Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University.} After graduating with a degree in Education, on May 29, 1945, she started her 38-year teaching career in Hollywood, Florida.  Returning to Tampa, she began her long and successful career teaching in the Hillsborough County Public School System. Her career would allow her to share her love of education with the students at Harlem Institute, Meacham Elementary School, and Town-N-Country Elementary School. In January 1984, Ruth retired and spent her time enjoying family and friends. She enjoyed board games and a good game of Dominoes which she very seldom lost.

In 1952, Ruth Jackson met Russell L. Person Jr., married and together they had two children, Brenda, and Russell. They shared 64 years of marriage before she became a widow on June 19, 2016.

 She was an active member of Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Tampa, FL. While at Bethel, she served on several ministries: Willing Workers, Bethelights Senior Citizen Ministry, Usher Ministry#1, Floral Ministry and Senior Bible Study Group. Ruth was also an active member of the following Organizations: National Council of Negro Women, Inc. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), FAMU National Alumni Association.

Ruth was a beautiful woman, the epitome of grace and poise. She was a loving devoted wife, mother, and loyal friend.

Ruth was preceded in death by: her husband, Russell L. Person Jr.; parents, Lewis and Maggie Jackson; and siblings, Rebecca Grant, James Jackson, Alfonzo Jackson, and Johnny Jackson.

She is survived by: her daughter, Brenda Perry; son, Russell L. Person III {Varnese}; Granddaughters: Alexandria Zayas {Christian}, and Aminah Person; sisters, Mary L. Gibbons, Delores Rachel, Dorothy Jackson, Ira Morrow, Barbara Jackson, and Kathryn Jackson; extended family, Noel Berry, and Varna Sherrod; and a host of nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the FAMU Foundation (my.famu.edu/famurising}

Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. http://www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com