Ruth F Ross

Ruth Forte Ross, age 83, departed this world to be with her heavenly father on Friday, June 14, 2019 in the Kindred Care Circle, a caring and loving hospice care living community in the Hermitage Assisted Living Home in Oxford, Mississippi. Ruth was born in Aliceville, Alabama on August 6, 1935. Ruth confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and remained a member of a Christian faith and worship center wherever her career and family lived. Ruth attended Summerville Industrial High School where she excelled as a student. Upon graduation in 1951, she was awarded a full academic scholarship to Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While at Stillman College Ruth met her childhood sweetheart Charles O. Ross. Ruth graduated magna cum laude from Stillman College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies and Business Administration. Upon graduation she relocated to Cleveland, Ohio and worked as an administrative assistant and law clerk to Attorney(s) Louis and Carl Stokes in the Law Firm of Minor, Stokes & Stokes. Charles and Ruth were married in 1958 and relocated to Gary, Indiana. Their two sons Charles and Marcus were born while the couple resided in Gary. Ruth was employed as an elementary school teacher in Gary, Indiana public schools for several years and received her Master of Science Degree in Education from Indiana University in 1965. Ruth was extremely passionate about the importance of education, and this was a core value that remained with her throughout her entire life. Ruth and her family relocated to Columbus, Ohio in 1970. She received a full academic scholarship to Capital University Law School and enrolled in the law school in 1974. Ruth received her Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in 1976. Upon graduation and successful passage of the Ohio Bar Exam she began her legal career with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus in 1977. Ruth practiced in the areas of fair housing, consumer law and unemployment compensation and served as a supervisory Attorney in the Housing Unit for the agency. She litigated numerous cases to verdict for the agency during her tenure including appellate cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. Ruth also handled criminal, abuse, neglect and dependency, delinquency, custody and nonsupport cases for the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office in the adult and juvenile division of Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Upon departure from the Legal Aid Society Ruth continued her legal career as a general practitioner representing individuals throughout Columbus, Central Ohio and the Columbus Metropolitan community handling consumer and fair housing landlord tenant matters, adult and juvenile criminal and traffic defense, and representation as court appointed counsel of numerous indigent individuals from underserved communities. Throughout her career she was an advocate for the civil liberties of underrepresented groups and on issues of racial and social justice. In additional to her professional accomplishments Ruth was actively involved in community service and charitable endeavors. Ruth was an active member of the Capital University Law School Alumni Association, the John Mercer Langston Bar Association and a member of the Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her spare time she enjoyed spending time with family and travelling. Ruth was also an avid tennis and golf player as a member of the Ebony Ladies Golf Club and she loved to dance. Above and beyond her love for education and her professional pursuits, Ruth loved her family.Ruth was married to Charles O. Ross for 54 years prior to Charles’ death. Ruth was a supportive and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and sorority sister. Additionally, Ruth provided guidance and support to countless individuals. Intelligent, strong, courageous, passionate, faithful and devout Christian and church member, Ruth peacefully made her exit and joined her loving husband Charles into eternity. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Curt and Estella Forte, Lula Brown; husband Charles O. Ross, brothers Theodore Roosevelt Forte, Booker T. Forte, Curt Forte, Lemon Forte, sisters Estella Ball, Judith (Forte)Smith, and Ruby “Doll”(Wright). Left to cherish her memories are her two adult sons, Charles Ross(Valeria) of Oxford, Mississippi, Marcus Ross of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren, Courtney (Oxford, MS) and Tonell(New Orleans, LA), great grand daughter McKinleigh Grace(Oxford, MS); brother Willie Forte(Cleveland, OH) and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the King Arts Complex.