Ruby Claudine Johnson Alexander ascended to Heaven on April 23, 2025, after spending 90½ years spreading love and happiness. Ruby was spreading the words of love and happiness long before Al Green.

She was a joyful lady with a big heart, a radiant smile, and an infectious laugh. Ruby loved everyone, particularly children. Walking down the street with Ruby was like being on a campaign trail with a politician. She smiled, greeted everyone, and hugged every child in sight. Her daughter LaVerne once commented that she had worked for two members of Congress and can personally attest that her mother kissed more babies than both of them combined.

Ruby was born September 29, 1934, in Brightwood Virginia to the late James Ernest and Louise Johnson. Her friends and family surmised that while most babies enter the world crying, baby Ruby probably entered the world laughing, giggling and saying, "I Feel Good."

Although she was born in the country, Ruby was a city girl at heart. So, at the tender age of 19, Ruby bid farewell to rural Virginia and moved to Washington, DC.  She quickly adopted DC as her new hometown. Her effervescent personality and love for humanity enabled her to quickly secure employment as a customer services professional.

Later, after taking a career sabbatical to raise her six children, Ruby returned to the career world as an early childhood development professional. Ruby loved children. So, such a career was a perfect fit.

Ruby loved the Lord. She was a spiritual Lady. She was baptized and raised in the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Brightwood, Virginia, the Johnson family's home church. Ruby continued her relationship with Chestnut Grove Church, even after moving to Washington.  Each year, she and her sister Annie Rice would pack their children into Annie's husband's taxicab for the 84-mile drive to Brightwood for their church's annual family reunion.

Later, as a mature woman, Ruby joined the Canaan Baptist Church.  Each Sunday morning, she would ride the S bus a mile up 16th Street from her home in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartments to the church. However, while Ruby usually rode the bus to church, she rarely rode the bus from church. There was never a shortage of volunteers to drive the charming, always smiling, bubbly Ruby back home.

Ruby shared the last decade of her life with dementia. But she refused to permit dementia to stop her.  Instead, she granted dementia permission to accompany her. But Ruby was the boss. Not dementia!  She continued to enjoy her life and perhaps more importantly bring joy to the lives of others. She danced to James Brown and Jackie Wilson songs. She visited the Bethesda Theatre. She dined at restaurants; Clyde's and the Hitching Post were her favorites, where despite her children's protest, she would enjoy a dish of vanilla ice cream and red wine. She visited shopping malls; she preferred upscale Tyson's North. And most importantly, Ruby loved spending quality time with her family.

She even accompanied her children on out-of-town excursions. Her daughters were contemplating taking her to a Broadway musical. But God took her to Heaven before her children could take her to Manhattan.

Observing Ruby share her life with dementia taught us to enjoy each and every day. She would have a delightful day laughing with new friends one day and never have a clue about what she did or whom she met the following day. But it did not matter! She had enthusiastically enjoyed her day.

Her husband William Henry Alexander, Sr., and two children, Virginia, and Laretta, preceded her to Heaven.  Ruby leaves to cherish memories of her happy, joyful, and optimistic persona, four children LaVerne, Yvonne, William Jr., and Zsa Zsa; six grandchildren Gregory, Ronda, Azia, Tijua, Derrick, and Tyree; three great-grandchildren LaKia, Zoe and Kenzo; four great-great-grandchildren Jolia, Jamiah, Jordan and Journey; two sons-in-law Sonny and Monroe; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends.

Visitation - 10:00 a.m. Celebration of Life Services  - 11:00 a.m.

Friday, May 9, 2025

Canaan Baptist Church 1600 Newton Street N.W., Washington, DC 20010

Interment: Fort Lincoln Cemetery