Ruth Bernice Durant

The Obituary Our beloved Ruth Bernecé Blackman was born on December 18, 1937 in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. She was born to Ivy Icilida Brightley and Charles McClean Blackman. She loved God and knows His greatness. God called her home on Sunday, August 4, 2013. Ruth graduated, valedictorian, from Rainbow City High School in 1957 and worked at the Rainbow City High School Library. In 1961, Ruth came to the United States and resided in Brooklyn, New York where she worked at the Brooklyn Public Library from 1963 to 1970. She married Erroll Durant in 1964 and they had 3 beautiful children, the family resided in Queens, NY. Ruth was a wonderful and caring mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, employee and more. She put her heart into everything she did. Her amazing love was constant and unconditional. She was the quintessential stay at home mom for ten years. Ruth was especially active in the community by volunteering at Cambria Heights Public School 176, Voter Registration and the Girl Scouts. Her time spent in the community made a memorable difference for her children and the neighborhood. In 1980, Ruth went to work for the United States Postal Service at JFK airport branch. Her roles included Clerk, Supervisor and Tour Desk Administrator, she retired in 2003. Ruth was a smart, beautiful, kind and generous woman who built bonds with many and had very special friendships and relationships. She was a matriarch and loved her family. No one can fill the space that she has left on earth. Ruth was an extraordinary person that gave from the heart, many times even before her own needs. God bless her and the example she set for all of us, especially her children. Ruth was full of life and had a spirit so radiant. It was nothing for her to befriend you and be a part of your life. She always created memories for her friends to hold on to. Some of her favorite things included bowling, traveling, scrap booking, kindle reading, her iPad, watching tennis, playing and winning Phase 10, Rummikub and spending time with her friends and family. She is survived by her husband, Erroll Durant; devoted children, Camille, Eric (Marilyn) and Denise (Dwayne); grandchildren, Kyle, Quincy, Xavier and Leah; mother, Ivy McNish; siblings, Charles Blackman, Fitz Blackman, Reynaldo Blackman and Alecia Brown; sisters-in-law, Juanita Blackman, Beverly Blondmonville and Annette Blackman; nieces, Amelia Shaffer, Ana Hudson and Michele Blondmonville; nephews, Carlos Blackman and Darren Blackman; and many very special friends that she loved dearly.

Tributes

Ruth Bernice Durant

December 18, 1937 - August 4, 2013