Ruth E. (Kent) McCants
December 30, 1933 – May 17, 2023 (age 89)
Her Beginning:
Ruth was born on December 30, 1933, to Vessie Kent and Nellie Everett in Chipley (Washington County), Florida.
Time to Live and Learn:
Her early childhood and education were received in Chipley where she attended Roulhac High School where she was a star basketball player. Her father later moved her to Ocala, FL to live with him.
A Time to Work:
In 1953 Ruth began work at Pioneer Products. Over several years, the name changed, but she stayed the course to finally, what is now Signature Brand, Inc. She worked there for forty-two (42) years and retired in August 1995.
A Time to Live:
Ruth accepted Christ and joined St. Paul AME Church. During her long years of membership at St. Paul, she served on the Usher Board, the Culinary Ministry, driver/deliverer of the food distribution ministry and the Mission Ministry. She was a member of several community service clubs and organizations, which included the Lucky Savings Club, Ebony Women’s Club, New Bid Whist Lotto Club and for many years was founder/organizer of an annual group that took a Cruise every spring.
A Time to Die:
In the quiet of the afternoon on May 17, 2023, at approximately four-twenty o’clock, with her daughter by her bedside, our Heavenly Father called her home. She was preceded in death by her husband of over sixty years, Charles “Charlie,” “Big Daddy” McCants, her parents, Vessie Kent, father; Nellie Everett Pompey, mother; brothers Charles Pompey (Columbus, GA), A. C Carter (Chipley FL), sister, Marietta “Mae” Pompey Maxey (Ocala} and devoted son-in-law, Rudolph Mingo Russell (Atlanta, GA).
A Time to Remember:
Ruth leaves to cherish her precious memories: son, Eddie Lorenzo “Robin” Thorpe (Donna), daughter, Debra Kaye Russell (Atlanta, GA); brother Cedric Kent (Kathy), sisters: Loretta Pompey Jenkins (Whitfield) and Barbara J. Pompey; grandchildren: Ebony Thorpe, Reginald Sancho (Nekerra), and Kayla Sancho all of Atlanta, GA; Zondra Crew (Travis), Harker Heights, TX; devoted nieces: TiJuana Jenkins Woods (Reginald), Kimberly Pompey-Wilkerson (Carlton), Rose D. Jenkins, Dr. Jaiya John, Camarillo, CA, Dr. Sultan Ali Jenkins, New York, NY, Merle Kaye Foster (Steven), Orlando, Valeria McAllister-Lawton (Keith), Chipley, Rebecca McCants, Cheryl McCants Wesley (Don), Sabrina Rose, Tallahassee, and Ollie Shannon; nephews: Reginald Braddock, San Jose, CA, Vernon Dale Braddock, Martin W. McCants, Jr., Jan Anderson, Jr., Panama City, Chester Kirksey, Tampa and Glen McCants (Judith), Tampa; Goddaughter, Tiffany Scott; fourteen (14) grandchildren, four (4) great grandchildren, and a host of devoted cousins and friends.
Public Visitation will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 1:00 until 6:00PM at Summers Funeral Home, 2238 NW 10th Street, Ocala, FL 34475.
Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Ruth McCants will be held Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00AM at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 718 NW 7th St, Ocala, Fl 34475.
“PLEASE AT THE REQUEST OF THE FAMILY, SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE PRACTICED AND WEARING A MASK IS MANDATORY”