Ruby Jewel Span

Ruby Jewel Span was born on January 23, 1934 to Mr. and Mrs. Ennis (Nettie) Spence in Lockhart, Texas. She was second of seven children. Ruby went home to be with the Lord on August 22, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Willie Span; daughter, Kimether Lynn Manjang; grand-daughter, Shelby Ann Kellum; sister, Margaret E. Spence; and brothers: John "Mickey" Spence, Ennis E. "Sonny" Spence and Bobby Spence.

Ruby joined St. James A.M.E. Church at an early age. She later married Mr. Willie Span in December 1956 who was at the time was in the United States Air Force. Due to much traveling she belonged to several churches. She would later move to Dayton, Ohio and began attending Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in 1973. During this time she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in into the Baptist faith in 1981 by Rev. Willie L. Rowland. She was a faithful member and actively served on the Senior Usher Board and sang in the Senior Choir. She was also a talented self-taught pianist.

Ruby is survived her son: Willie J. (Jina) Span; daughters: Cynthia C. Jones and Rosalind A. (James) Maupins; son-in law, Dennis Manjang; grandchildren: Dennis (Kelli) Majang, Jr., Jamal (Aylissa) Manjang, Lydia Jones, Madalyn Jones, Jocelyn Maupins, and Marcus Maupins; great grandchildren: Genesis and Judah Manjang; sisters: Ella Joe Spence and Ann Robinson from Texas; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, including the Bussey family from Indianapolis, and a host of friends, including special friends at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held from 12-1 pm on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 1 Diamond Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45403, where the funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm. Ruby's burial will take place on Monday, August 30, 2021, 10:30 am, Shelter B at Dayton National Cemetery with her husband. Arrangements entrusted to Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road. To share a memory of Ruby or leave a special message for her family, please click on the Share Memories button above.