Ruby Onita Ayler Bethel On July 11, 2019, the Angel of God whispered: “Ruby, come now and take your rest.”
Ruby Ayler Bethel was born on December 1, 1928 in Jackson, Alabama to the late Jefferson (Jeff) Bush and Corrine James Bush. She was the second oldest of eight children. Ruby departed this life peacefully on July 11, 2019 at 11 o’clock in the morning at home with her son, Alflynn L. Ayler and sister-in- law Juanita Hurst.
Ruby accepted the Lord at an early age in her family home church in Jackson, Alabama. Once she left Jackson she moved to Whistler, Alabama. Shortly after arriving in Whistler, she joined Third Baptist Church where she has been a member for more than 70 years.
She worked for the Kayser Family of Mobile before pursuing a medical career in nursing. Although she faced many challenges, especially during the civil rights era, but persevered and achieved her dream of becoming a nurse. She began as a Nurses’ Aid, then she proceeded to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Eventually, she matriculated in the nursing program at S.D Bishop State to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Ruby had a lifelong career in the healthcare industry. She served as the Lead RN in geriatrics at Providence Hospital where she worked closely with both Dr. Robert Stevens and Dr. Lester. Later, she worked at the 8-Mile Nursing Home where she continued training, motivating and encouraging young nurses until her retirement.
Ruby was very outspoken and someone whom you might refer to as a ‘warrior for justice.’ She worked to improve her community and demonstrated by her example the courage to challenge unjust laws. Before the world ever heard of Rosa Parks, Ruby refused to move to the back of the bus after an exhausting two night-straight stint of sitting with her critically ill employer, Mrs. Kayser. She was arrested and jailed. Subsequently, she was released after her employer intervened.
Always striving to make her community better, she also worked first-hand with the Weed and Seed program. Ruby not only fought for justice in her community but she was a teacher and a woman of great faith who lived a life of thanksgiving and love. She was dedicated to her family and raised her children in the church, surrounding them with her love.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff and Corinne Bush; her husband, Charlie Bethel; three brothers: Rupert Bush, Isaac (Peter) Bush and Freddie Lee Morris; four sisters: Delcina Jackson, Shirley Powe, Francis Bush, and Bernice Morris McIntyre.
She is survived by one daughter, Dianne (Vickie) Ayler Bell of New Orleans, LA; three sons: Rayflynn (Betty) Ayler of New Jersey, Alflynn Lorenzo (Cheryl) Ayler of Theodore, AL and Napoleon (Joann) Ayler of Mobile, AL; four granddaughters: Kristin Bell of New Orleans, LA, Lori Ayler of Theodore, AL, Shana and Calandria Nodd of Mobile, AL; one grandson, Freddie Bell, Jr. of New Orleans, LA; three great-grandsons: Ellijah Massy, Xamori Nodd and Elijah Nodd; one great-granddaughter, Autumn Nodd; along with other nieces and nephews; devoted sister-in-law, Juanita Hurst of Mobile, AL; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.