- Collection:
- Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection
- Title:
- Celebration of Life, Ruby Pearl Walthall Dyer, Saturday, March 19, 2016, 11:00 A.M., Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Dr. Paul H. Easley, Sr., Officiating, Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor
- Contributor to Resource:
- African-American Historical and Genealogical Society (Washington, D.C.). Metro Atlanta Chapter
Wesley Chapel Genealogy Group - Date of Original:
- 2016-03-19
- Subject:
- African American women--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Funeral customs and rites--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Funeral rites and ceremonies--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Funeral service--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Mourning customs--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta--Genealogy - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- church records
programs (documents)
records (documents) - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Funeral program for Ruby Pearl Walthall Dyer. Birth date: March 21, 1934. Death date: (not recorded). Funeral date: March 19, 2016. Church: Ben Hill United Methodist Church (Atlanta, Ga.). The Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection is a project of the Digital Library of Georgia in association with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History as part of Georgia HomePLACE. The project is supported with federal LSTA funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:aarl_afpc_dyerrubypearlwalthall20160319
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:aarl_afpc_dyerrubypearlwalthall20160319
- Language:
- eng
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Holding Institution:
- Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
- Rights:
-
Saturday, March 19, 2016 11:00A.M.
Ben Hill United Methodist Church
2099 Fairburn Road, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia
Reverend Dr. Paul H . Easley, Sr., Officiating Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor
Ruby Pearl Walthall Dyer, the third of four children, was born on March 21, 1934 to the late Frank and Mattie Walthall. As you see in her name, her mom knew she was a jewel. Ruby grew up in Palmetto, Georgia and graduated from South Fulton High School. At an early age, she learned the value of hard work. She worked as a domestic engineer and shared stories from that experience you would not believe. She later went to work for Melears Barbeque in Union City, Georgia, where she worked for over twenty-seven years. In the words of her baby brother, William, but known to all that knew her, "She was sweet, loving, kind, devoted and giving." Her love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was immeasurable and her strength was unbelieveable; in her weakest moments she was stronger than most.
At an early age, she joined Rivertown United Methodist Church and served as a communion stewardess. She met and married John "Johnny" Lewis Dyer and to this union eight children (Pamela, Ronnie, Harriet, Gerald, Connie, Madeline, Patrick and LuCinda) were born. Three of those children preceded her in death, Harriet, Gerald and Madeline, as well as her husband, Johnny, who transitioned in 1991. Later she joined J.S. Hammond Missionary Baptist Church under watch care and out of respect for her mother she would not reveal her change of membership until her mother passed away. She shared her blessings throughout the church and worked as a Deaconess and adored her pastor, Reverend Willie R. Starks, Sr.
In 1996, she suffered a stroke but continued to live an abundant life. Because of her health, she went to live with her eldest daughter and son-in-law, George, who welcomed her, supported her and cared for her until she was blessed to move on up higher. For more than thirteen years she attended Ben Hill United Methodist Church regularly and fellowshipped between her home church, J.S. Hammomd MBC, and Ben Hill UMC until her transition.
Ms. Ruby's life spoke for itself. She was quiet and unassuming, but a fantastic person who had a way of making everyone feel special. She was very patient and would listen and talk to anyone and would give her best advice if you asked for it. And one of her best-kept secrets was being able to give you a remedy for just about anything that ailed you. She came to be Mom to many and was loved by all who were blessed to get to know her. It was shared by someone that came to love her dearly that, "When she saw you, she smiled at you and you knew she genuinely was glad to see you." She was gentle, caring and would help you in any way she could.
She started her day with a cup of coffee and her daily word; and until recently she would sit on the porch and just enjoy the simple things in life, such as beautiful flowers, flower gardens and birds and would share with such amazement of how God painted the landscape of such natural beauty in the world. She hated to see litter when out and about and would often ask, uWhy can't we take better care of this beautiful world that God has given us?" She was a good steward and her love for her family was second to her love for God.
She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy her children: Pam Bates (George), Ronnie Dyer, Connie Wright (James), Patrick Dyer (Latrease), LuCinda McGarrah (Juan) and Loree Hartsfield; her brothers: Paul Walthall (Dr. Locie J.) and William Walthall; sisters-in-law: Amy Lee Sumlin, Mildred Hall and Marie Dyer. She has eighteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, Goddaughters: Gemenkia Bell and Miyoshi Garrison and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends.
God saw the road was getting rough; The hills were hard to climb.
He gently closed those loving eyes, And whispered, "Peace be Thine."
The weary hours, the days of pain, The sleepless nights are past.
The ever patient, worn-out frame has Found sweet rest at last.
God saw you getting weary, So He did what He knew was best.
He came and stood beside you And whispered, "Come and rest."
A limb has fallen from the family tree. And a gentle voice says, "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. My mind is at ease; my soul is at rest. Remember most of all, I truly was blessed.
Continue our traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry at all. I miss you all dearly, but in this I win. And one day we will be together again."
PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL HYMN OF CELEBRATION SCRIPfURE
PRAYER OF COMFORT
'qt Is WeD with My SouP'
Old Testament Psalm 51
New Testament II Timothy 4:6-8
UMH#377
Reverend Thomas R. Stegall St. Paul AME Church
Reverend Steven Jones Rivertown UMC
Reverend Timothy Starks Mt. Nebo Baptist Church
CELEBRATION IN SONG REFLECTIONS
CELEBRATION IN SONG
WORDS OF COMFORT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"I Shall Wear a Crown"
(two minutes) Pastor
Church Member Daughter-in-Love
Niece Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren
Reverend Gigi Warren Mrs. Audrey Walker Ms. Loree Hartsfield Ms. Shirley Tutt
"Move 011 Up a Little Higher"
Reverend Richard D. Winn, Sr. District Superintendent
GriBin District, North Georgia Conference
RECESSIONAL
"Let the Church Say Amen"
INTERMENT FloralHiU Cemetery, Palmetto, Georgia
REPAST J.S. Hammond Missionary Baptist Church 211 Beckman Street / Palmetto, Georgia 30268
Acknowledgements & Special Thanks
The family of Ruby Dyer is eternally grateful to God for providing us with faithful family and friends during this time of bereavement. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much for whatever the part. Special thanks to Dr. Kyra Harvey, Cathy Lewis, Right at Home and Halcyon Hospice for your patience, love and care; and to our Ben Hill United Methodist Church and J.S. Hammonds Missionary Baptist Church families. We pray God's blessings upon each and every one of you. Our prayer is that God will continue to bless all of you abundantly. We ask that during your quiet time, you continue to lift us up for strength to carry on in the days ahead,
Pall bearers
Starrett Boynton ~ Marvin S. Garrison Von Logan ~ Christopher Walthall
Marquavius Walthall~ Donald Varner
Flower Ladies
Ethel Brown ~ Crystal Davis ~ Valerie Long Vache Porter ~ Bridgette Sumlin ~ Emily Sumlin
Jacque Twiggs~ Sonya Walthall