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Ruby Jean
Smith
March 6, 1945 – June 25, 2021
Ruby Jean Blue was born March 6, 1945 in Los Angeles, California to the union of Daniel Webster and Ruby A. Bains Blue (Both Deceased). Ruby Jean was the third child born to this union. She had two older siblings, Marie A. Blue-Bright and Daniel J. Blue (Deceased) and a younger brother Larry L. Blue (Deceased). At the age of 12, Ruby Jean was baptized by Brother Joe Brasher at West Adams Church of Christ in Los Angeles.
Ruby Jean (Affectionately nicknamed Auntie Jeannie/Auntie Blue) attended 109 th Street & Sixth Avenue Elementary School, Foshay Junior High and graduated from Susan Miller Dorsey High School in 1963. She worked from 1963-1964 at Prudential Life Insurance Company as a secretary. In 1963 she attended East Los Angeles College for Nursing, but later decided that Nursing was not for her. In 1965, she attended and completed Bryan Stenographer School and became a Court Stenographer. She worked for the State of California's, Workmen Compensation Courts for 30+ years. She retired in 2010.
Ruby Jean met her loving mate Kent Viser Smith, Sr. who was a local neighborhood friend. Her best girlfriends Carolyn Beatty-Blue (Deceased) and Toi San Zuercher-Workman (Deceased) decided that Ruby Jean should marry Kent. They married June 25, 1967 and were married for 54 years. They had two children, Dr. Marlo (Smith) Brawner and Kent Viser Smith, II. Ruby Jean was a devoted wife and mother. She made sure that Marlo and Kent stayed in the library reading and also encouraged extracurricular activities. She was also active with school activities and the PTA from Elementary School throughout High School.
In 1963 Ruby, Carolyn Jenks and several of her high school friends founded a social club named The Modernistics Social Club. They held events and donated to charitable Organizations from 1953-1965. Ruby and the members of the club remained close friends until her transition.
Ruby's hobbies was reading novels and doing hidden picture search books. She loved to read and was a member of several Book Clubs. Also, enjoyed crossword puzzles, cooking and cruises.
Ruby Jean leaves to cherish her memory: Kent V. Smith, Sr. (Husband), Dr. Marlo Brawner, daughter (Eric), Kent V. Smith, II, son, Marie A. Blue-Bright, Sister, Debora M. Bright-Laney, niece, Brandi Blue, niece (Larry), Brandon Blue, nephew (Lindsey), Daniel Blue, Jr., nephew, (Nancy) and great & great-great nieces and nephews: Dr. Roquell Laney, Anthony Maru, Haalin Taalib-din, Josiah Blue Russell, Elijah Blue, Emerson Blue, Annabelle Blue, Ezra Blue, Lucy Blue, Byerly Blue, Easton Blue, Brayden Blue, Sebastian Blue-Anderson, Izaiah Maru and Alexander Maru. Also, two godchildren: Cynthia Jenks and Henry Eric Jenks (Deceased). Also, she leaves a host of cousins in addition to longtime friends: Carolyn Jenks, Dr. Fred Workman, Woody & Imelda, Malcolm Bennett, Eric Hunt, Yo & Big Al (Deceased), Randy & Irma Malveaux, Adele Mathis, The Carters, The Beatty Family, the Neighbors (Orange County), the Las Bolsas group and the Neighborhood 4 th Ave Gang.
To view the webcast of Ruby's memorial service on Friday, July 2 at 2:00pm, please click on this link, https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1625122444123056
O'Connor Mortuary
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