Ruby Jean Cole-Watkins

July 6, 1942 – June 13, 2004

Ruby Jean Cole-Watkins, 61, was born on July 6, 1942, in Jackson, Tenn.She was the seventh child born to the union of James Adam and Lula Cole. The family moved to South Bend, Ind., in 1952. Ruby Jean accepted Christ into her life at an early age and became a baptized member of the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church of South Bend. Her church was extremely important to her.She loved to sing, especially with her brother, Robert.

Jean received her education in the South Bend Public School system.Shortly after graduation from high school she enrolled in and completed the requirement for cosmetology.She enjoyed styling, treating and maintaining hair. On Nov.20, 1967, Jean married William Walter Watkins.They were married 36 years.Christian Dion joined this union on June 30, 1971. Everyone who met Jean soon learned that her major challenge in life was her health.She was afflicted with a malady called sickle-cell anemia, which affected every phase of her life, but she fought with such tenacity, courage and dignity to get what could be gleaned out of this life.She fought to the end. She has been a blessing to her family and others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lula Cole; two brothers, William and Willie James;and by three sisters, Edna, Dorothy and Margarete.

She leaves to mourn her devoted husband, Bill of Oklahoma;one son, Christian of Oklahoma;one grandson, Adrian of Oklahoma; two sisters, Katherine (Alexander) Neal of Detroit, Mich., and Mary Belle Cole of New York City, N.Y.; two brothers, Robert (Sophia) Cole of Macon, Ga., and George Cole of Palo Alto, Calif.;and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services for Mrs.Ruby Jean Watkins will be held Wednesday, June 23, in the Berean Seventh- day Adventist Church, 601 W. Colfax, South Bend.Visitation:10 a.m.;funeral services:11 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services at Highland Cemetery. The Clark-O’Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with services

Source: Newspapers.com

07/04/2024 EJS