Ruthie M. Christian
May 6th, 1942 - November 17th, 2023
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Ruthie's Obituary
Life began for Ruthie M. Christian on May 6, 1942, and ended 81 years later-on November 17, 2023. The years in between were filled with so many wonderful life experiences, and throughout her life God was able to bless her, and her through God was able to touch and influence many others.
Ruthie was born to Ora Lee and Jessie Lee Howard Sr. in Sunflower, MS, she was the oldest of eleven children. She attended Gentry High School and accepted Christ at an early age in Sunflower, Mississippi.
As a child Ruthie would frequently travel from Mississippi to Chicago but in 1959 at the age of 17, she left Mississippi and permanently moved to Chicago, Illinois.
While in Chicago, she met and fell in love with the love of her life Fred Christian, and on July 24, 1961, they were married in Jackson, MS. To this union they had three children and enjoyed 43 wonderful years of marriage. (Her husband of 43 years preceded her in death in 2004).
In 1971 she moved with her husband and family to Maywood, Il, and later joined Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Ruthie was an intricate part of Grace Memorial Church family; she served as the President of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry for several years as well as being a member of the Nurses Aid Committee. In the early 90’s Ruthie later joined Christian Unity Baptist Church in Bellwood, Il.
In 1995 she moved with her husband to Grand Junction, MI, and joined Emmanuel Community Church, in South Haven, MI. As always Ruthie was very active, she was a member of the Steward Board and Spiritual Leader for over 20 years. Within the last four years Ruthie moved her church home to New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, in Bangor, MI. Ruthie loved her pastor, first lady and the entire congregation she would often say this is truly my family.
Ruthie worked in many capacities over her lifetime however she had a gift of talking and was an excellent salesperson. In the 70’s she worked for Tupperware for several years and was one of the top Sales Managers. After leaving Tupperware she sold life insurance and later became a partner and Vice-President of a life insurance company. Her favorite job of all was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved them all unconditionally.
She leaves many happy and beautiful memories with her daughter, Barbara (Michael) Miller, Sr, of Maywood, IL, three sons, Craig (Danielle) Christian, of Aurora, IL, Bruce Howard, North Chicago, IL, David Lee (preceded in death); three grandchildren Michael Miller Jr, Nicole Miller, and Julienne Miller; one great-grandson Josiah Miller; four sisters; Maxine Ware, Chicago, IL, Betty (Willie) Grandberry, Chicago, IL, Ernestine (Bob) Jones, Toledo, OH, Eva (Lenter) Elery, Chicago, IL; four brothers; Charles Howard, Chicago, IL, Larry Howard, Chicago, IL, James Howard, Mississippi, and Michael Howard, South Dakota; two deceased; Jessie Howard Jr, Willie Earl Howard, and two sisters-in-law; Beatrice (James) Hamer, Kilmichael, MS, Ruby Christian, Jackson, MS. She was also loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual family, and friends.
Ruthie had a giving spirit; she loved the lord, and she loved people. She was very honest and direct, if you asked her for her opinion or advice, she was going to tell you the truth. Her brothers affectionately called her “little sister”, and she was the matriarch of the family.
A Wake for Ruthie will be held on Saturday December 2, 2023 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 22857 Co Rd 681 Bangor, Michigan 49013 from 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m. Pastor Dwayne Johnson will officiate. Ruthie will be laid to rest at Monks Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269637-0333
Ruthie was born to Ora Lee and Jessie Lee Howard Sr. in Sunflower, MS, she was the oldest of eleven children. She attended Gentry High School and accepted Christ at an early age in Sunflower, Mississippi.
As a child Ruthie would frequently travel from Mississippi to Chicago but in 1959 at the age of 17, she left Mississippi and permanently moved to Chicago, Illinois.
While in Chicago, she met and fell in love with the love of her life Fred Christian, and on July 24, 1961, they were married in Jackson, MS. To this union they had three children and enjoyed 43 wonderful years of marriage. (Her husband of 43 years preceded her in death in 2004).
In 1971 she moved with her husband and family to Maywood, Il, and later joined Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Ruthie was an intricate part of Grace Memorial Church family; she served as the President of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry for several years as well as being a member of the Nurses Aid Committee. In the early 90’s Ruthie later joined Christian Unity Baptist Church in Bellwood, Il.
In 1995 she moved with her husband to Grand Junction, MI, and joined Emmanuel Community Church, in South Haven, MI. As always Ruthie was very active, she was a member of the Steward Board and Spiritual Leader for over 20 years. Within the last four years Ruthie moved her church home to New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, in Bangor, MI. Ruthie loved her pastor, first lady and the entire congregation she would often say this is truly my family.
Ruthie worked in many capacities over her lifetime however she had a gift of talking and was an excellent salesperson. In the 70’s she worked for Tupperware for several years and was one of the top Sales Managers. After leaving Tupperware she sold life insurance and later became a partner and Vice-President of a life insurance company. Her favorite job of all was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved them all unconditionally.
She leaves many happy and beautiful memories with her daughter, Barbara (Michael) Miller, Sr, of Maywood, IL, three sons, Craig (Danielle) Christian, of Aurora, IL, Bruce Howard, North Chicago, IL, David Lee (preceded in death); three grandchildren Michael Miller Jr, Nicole Miller, and Julienne Miller; one great-grandson Josiah Miller; four sisters; Maxine Ware, Chicago, IL, Betty (Willie) Grandberry, Chicago, IL, Ernestine (Bob) Jones, Toledo, OH, Eva (Lenter) Elery, Chicago, IL; four brothers; Charles Howard, Chicago, IL, Larry Howard, Chicago, IL, James Howard, Mississippi, and Michael Howard, South Dakota; two deceased; Jessie Howard Jr, Willie Earl Howard, and two sisters-in-law; Beatrice (James) Hamer, Kilmichael, MS, Ruby Christian, Jackson, MS. She was also loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual family, and friends.
Ruthie had a giving spirit; she loved the lord, and she loved people. She was very honest and direct, if you asked her for her opinion or advice, she was going to tell you the truth. Her brothers affectionately called her “little sister”, and she was the matriarch of the family.
A Wake for Ruthie will be held on Saturday December 2, 2023 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 22857 Co Rd 681 Bangor, Michigan 49013 from 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m. Pastor Dwayne Johnson will officiate. Ruthie will be laid to rest at Monks Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269637-0333
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