Obituary for Ruth J. Mikeal
Ruth E. J. Mikeal departed this life on Saturday, July 26, 2014. She was born on October 30, 1921 to Isham and Nonie B. Jones in Dinwiddie County, VA.
Ruth attended public school in Blackstone, VA. She gave her life to Christ at an early age. Her membership was at Springhill Baptist Church.
Ruth married Bernard C. Mikeal on August 4, 1941 and moved to Harlem in New York City where they became members of the Abyssinian Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Adam Clayton Powell. Of this union, four daughters were born: Gwendolyn Mikeal (preceding her in death), Ernestine Mikeal of Baltimore, MD, Sylvia Crawford (Calvin) of Baltimore, MD and Beverly Mikeal (preceding her in death). Others left to cherish her memory are her two grandchildren, Isham Bernard Mikeal-McNair (Takesha) of Norfolk, VA and Sheyna Gabrielle Mikeal of New York City; four great granddaughters, Daiyja, Angel, Ra-Annee and Nyobi; a sister-in-law, Arlene Mikeal; her three little girls, Odessa, Iola and Fleta; a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Ruth returned to Virginia later in life and reinstated her membership at Springhill Baptist Church.
Ruth’s colorful 92 years were landmarked by some exciting historical events. She was considered by many to be an activist. She attended the first Dodgers baseball game where a black man, Jackie Robinson, was allowed to play in the major league. She supported her Pastor, Adam Clayton Powell in his campaign to become the first person from New York of African American descent to be elected to congress. She incorporated his famous phrase “keep the faith baby” as the running theme in her life. She said many times if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.
She attended the 20th anniversary of the March on Washington in our nation’s capital.
Ruth believed in celebrating life and having fun. She enjoyed bingo, scrabble and card games. She had a passion for collecting stuffed monkeys, and listening to Blues. She loved to travel and experience new things.
Most of all, she loved her daughters - constantly reminding them that she would come between them and a bear.
Funeral Services Friday, August 1, 2014 at Springhill Baptist Church, Blackstone with interment in the Shiloh Dinwiddie Baptist Church Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
Funeral Services Friday, August 1, 2014 at Springhill Baptist Church, Blackstone with interment in the Shiloh Dinwiddie Baptist Church Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Ruth attended public school in Blackstone, VA. She gave her life to Christ at an early age. Her membership was at Springhill Baptist Church.
Ruth married Bernard C. Mikeal on August 4, 1941 and moved to Harlem in New York City where they became members of the Abyssinian Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Adam Clayton Powell. Of this union, four daughters were born: Gwendolyn Mikeal (preceding her in death), Ernestine Mikeal of Baltimore, MD, Sylvia Crawford (Calvin) of Baltimore, MD and Beverly Mikeal (preceding her in death). Others left to cherish her memory are her two grandchildren, Isham Bernard Mikeal-McNair (Takesha) of Norfolk, VA and Sheyna Gabrielle Mikeal of New York City; four great granddaughters, Daiyja, Angel, Ra-Annee and Nyobi; a sister-in-law, Arlene Mikeal; her three little girls, Odessa, Iola and Fleta; a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Ruth returned to Virginia later in life and reinstated her membership at Springhill Baptist Church.
Ruth’s colorful 92 years were landmarked by some exciting historical events. She was considered by many to be an activist. She attended the first Dodgers baseball game where a black man, Jackie Robinson, was allowed to play in the major league. She supported her Pastor, Adam Clayton Powell in his campaign to become the first person from New York of African American descent to be elected to congress. She incorporated his famous phrase “keep the faith baby” as the running theme in her life. She said many times if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.
She attended the 20th anniversary of the March on Washington in our nation’s capital.
Ruth believed in celebrating life and having fun. She enjoyed bingo, scrabble and card games. She had a passion for collecting stuffed monkeys, and listening to Blues. She loved to travel and experience new things.
Most of all, she loved her daughters - constantly reminding them that she would come between them and a bear.
Funeral Services Friday, August 1, 2014 at Springhill Baptist Church, Blackstone with interment in the Shiloh Dinwiddie Baptist Church Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
Funeral Services Friday, August 1, 2014 at Springhill Baptist Church, Blackstone with interment in the Shiloh Dinwiddie Baptist Church Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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