Ruby Lee Deiz

Ruby Deiz passed away in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on August 17, 2012. Ruby, the youngest of 11 children (7 brothers and 3 sisters), was born on March 22,1920, to George E. and Paralee Butler in Stephenville, Texas. Ruby was raised in Stephenville and graduated from Stephenville Colored High School in 1937. In the early 1940’s, due to the economy in Texas, Ruby followed several of her siblings to Portland, Oregon, where they worked as porters for the Pullman Railroad company. It was there she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) W. Deiz. Their romance was interrupted by the start of World War II. In January 1942, Bob joined the Army Air Force as a Tuskegee Airman and they eventually married in August 1943. Their union produced a son, Robert (Pete) E. Deiz in November 1946. After the war, Bob remained in the Air Force and he and Ruby moved several times to meet his new orders. As always, Ruby set up shop and maintained the home while Bob was performing his duties. This took them from Columbus, Ohio, to Hempstead, Long Island New York and back to Columbus, Ohio, in 1960 where Bob eventually retired in 1962. In 1964, her son graduated from East High School and headed off to Ohio University. To support Pete’s college expenses, Ruby took a job in the hosiery department at the Union department store and maintained that job until the mid-seventies. When Ruby came to Columbus, she was looking for a church home and joined Second Baptist Church. In 1976, she became a charter member of The Good Shepherd Baptist Church where she was an active member of the Church community. She served as a senior usher, a member of Family Ministries, Senior Saints and the Food Service Auxiliary. For many years, Ruby enjoyed sewing and gardening and demonstrated both talent and skill in these areas. Ruby also enjoyed traveling with her husband and sister, Mabel. Ruby’s husband Robert W. Deiz, died in 1992. In 2001, her son and his wife convinced her to move to West Bloomfield, Michigan to reside with them. Ruby was the last surviving member of her siblings. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Robert Everett (Nelia); two grandsons, Robert Jamal Deiz and Sean Aaron Deiz; a great- grandson, Robert Jurrell Deiz; nieces and nephews who currently reside in Portland, Oregon.