Ruth V. Brooks- Savage

RUTH VIRGINIA BROOKS SAVAGE Ruth Virginia Brooks Savage was born February 27,1921, in Richmond, Virginia to the late James Howard Jr. and Elizabeth Leftridge Brooks. She was predeceased by her younger sister Ethel Brooks Jones. Ruth 's younger years were spent living between New York City and Richmond,Virginia. Ruth was nurtured by her Richmond Grandparents , Virginia and Howard “DaddyB” Brooks and by her New York Grandmother, Ivy Leftridge. Ruth was graduated from the Julia Richmond High School in New York City. Her High School Year Book described Ruth as “charming, gentle and sweet.” After graduation, Ruth began her college education at Hunter College in New York . Ruth received her bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Virginia State ollege in Petersburg, Virginia. In 1943, Ruth married John Alfred Savage,Jr of Richmond , Virginia . To their union, three children were born: Joanne Elizabeth, and Kaye Estelle , and John “Jay” Alfred.III. She was preceded in death by her husband (1980) and her son (1999). Ruth began her 25 years of teaching career at Benjamin Graves Middle School in Richmond, Virginia. She taught English and Business Education. Many of her students fondly remember learning how to diagram sentences, maitain ledgers, balance checkbooks. After her retirement from teaching, Ruth managed the familybusiness, coordinated volunteered services for NBC news network, was “First” assistant to the Boone Family 's operation of their newspaper,The Richmond Free Press, and served as secretary to the Brookbury Community. Ruth was 85 years old when she finnallyfully retired.. “Mudder”, as she was affectionately named by her grandchildren, had an extraordinary love of family and friends. She infused in her children and grandchildren discipline, a love for learning, and passion for reading. Ruth and her best friend of 70 plus years , Catherine F. Gaines of Washington, DC, were avid travalers and adventurers. Together hey exploered fourty states including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as countries on five continents. They white water rafted in Alaska, and at the age of 83, Ruth went hot air ballooning over Ottawa, Canada. Her favorate palces in the world were at the beach or the porch of her home in Brookbury. Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia for over 50years. “Mudder” had an extraodinary love of family and friends. She immensely enjoyedher grandchildren:Shelli Miller, JasonVarnadore (Robin), Brooke Smith, Jennifer and Brian Jiggetts;her grandchildren Jonathon and Sierra Miller, Bray Winfree, Phoenix Vernadore, Tamara, Tiffany, Jazzmin,Tamiya, and Ryan. Later, Ruth became “Mudder” to Nicole and Boris Koodjoe,Reggi Parker, Kenyatta Bragg, and “Putter Mudder” to Sophie, Nicolas and Parker. Ruth is remebered with love by her daughters, joanne Parker of Baltimore,MD and Kaye Savage of Washington, DC; devoted sons-in-lwa, Larry C.Jiggetts and Donald G. Parker; daughter-in-law, Gloria Savage of Richmond,Va;nieces and nephews,cousins; lifetime friend, Catherine Gaines;and Regina Bruce, smong Ruth's many other friends.

Tributes

Ruth V. Brooks- Savage

February 27, 1921 - February 14, 2014