Obituary of Ruby R. Pearson

Ruby Roberta Claiborne Pearson was born on September 16, 1920, in Emporia “Ante”, Virginia, to the late Austin and Mattie Birdsong Harrison Claiborne. She was one of 24 siblings, with 10 siblings and 14 half-siblings from both her mother and father. Ruby and her brother, Rufus, were the only set of twins in the family.

Growing up, Ruby shared fond memories of being a pre-teen and following her older brothers and sisters around whether it was working in the fields or taking part in Saturday baseball games. She had vivid memories of visiting the local spring with buckets for water, and later having their own well.

Ruby often recalled the days when her eldest brother, Everett, had the only automobile in the family, and the long walks she and her siblings would make to attend grammar school. As the first Claiborne family member to graduate from high school, Ruby overcame many obstacles. During the 1930s, their county district did not provide transportation for colored high school children, so she would be required to take privately owned buses for a small fee. Often, Ruby stayed with family friends to reduce the daily commute to school. Ruby was also the first in her family to pursue higher education, earning a two-year certificate in business from St. Paul’s Polytechnic Institute in Lawrenceville, VA.

Ruby’s path led her to meet Charles Andrew “Floyd” Pearson, a young soldier, on a blind date, and they married on September 22, 1945. They moved to Cambridge, MA, in 1948, where they purchased their first home on Putnam Avenue. Ruby worked for many years at Raytheon and Filene’s Basement, where she became known for her work ethic and dedication. In fact, she was the first in her circle of friends to learn how to drive a car, and would often drive her friends to work. After retiring from Filene’s Basement in 1984, Ruby devoted herself to caring for her grandchildren, a role she embraced with love and joy. The hobbies she loved included sewing, quilting, canning, gardening, and baking sweet potato pies that her family loved.

Ruby was deeply involved in Western Avenue Baptist Church, where she was the oldest member and served as a Deaconess. She joined the church in 1949 under the leadership of Rev. James Fields and held numerous roles throughout the years, including being a member of the gospel chorus, the Willing Workers, the Ladies Auxiliary Board, and contributing to the building funds. She also assisted her niece, Joyce Lee Smith, with the food program. Ruby’s dedication to her faith was evident, as she shared the joy of walking many family members up to be baptized.

Ruby was called home on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Andrew “Floyd” Pearson, and her son, Charles “Waddell” Pearson. Ruby leaves to mourn her children, the late Charles “Waddell”, Bobbie (Marcelyn), Constance Woodard, Michael (Alexandria), Karen Cooke, and Angela (Ron Felder): her niece Jocie Lee Smith, grand-niece Margie Smith, her niece Faye Harrison Franklin; her bonus son, Lester Lee; her 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Ruby's legacy of faith, love, and service continues to inspire all who knew her.