By Gloria Lee
Ruth Arthur
In the year of 1919 Thomas Woodrow Wilson was President. Then there was Jackie Robinson, a great baseball player born on January 31, 1919, and Nat King Cole, a great and famous singer born March 17, 1919.
Then God created another great one, Ruth Arthur who was born on May 12, 1919, and she will be celebrating 100 years of a blessed life with all of her family and friends.
On May 8th, 1938 Ruth Arthur became the wife of Esau Brown, this union resulted in six children: Fannie, Charles, Faye, Paulette, Timothy, and Gloria who all became a part of their journey.
She obtained her education in Terry, Mississippi. Shortly after marriage and four children later (Fannie, Charles, Faye, Paulette) Ruth and Esau moved to 4th and Galena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where her last two children (Timothy and Gloria) were born.
In 1958 Ruth and Esau purchased their first home on 13th & Albany. She started her first job in Milwaukee as a domestic for a family called the Schroeder’s.
She later became the Housekeeping Supervisor at Marina View Manor Nursing Home. Her family grew in numbers because so many of her workers of diverse backgrounds considered her as their mom that they became part of the family and visited her home quite frequent. She advised and guided so many through their walk of life’s journey. She later retired in 1982.
Her love for baseball was one of her favorite past times and the family home was always filled with baseball fever. You can still catch her watching baseball today because she still enjoys it.
Her favorite word to her children is to say that she’s still the BOSS and if it wasn’t for a portion of her none of us would be here. Her six children now have husbands/wives or significant others, she also has 16 grandchildren; 26 great grands; 8 great-great grands, and she will forever be the rock of this family.
On April 16, 1975 she lost her husband Esau of 37 years and even though it was a sad time 20 years later she was able to fall in love again. The year of 1995 at the age of 75 she married Wardell Kendrick. She moved back to Terry, Mississippi and became the mother of many more that loves her dearly.
Through her journey some of her loved ones passed on. Her husband Esau Brown, grandchild Kendra Lee; great grandchild Cherish Marie Banks; great-great grandchild Khalia Young; son-in-law David Fletcher, and second husband Wardell Kendrick.
After Mr. Kendrick passed on she returned to Milwaukee where she spends time as the oldest member of Calvary Baptist Church. Her love for God has always been her strength.
She would say at times that I will not be around to see a Black President, not only did she vote at the age of 89 for President Obama, she had the opportunity to vote for him again, and witness President Obama serve two terms.
Soon to be 100 years silver she is still here sharing her love and wisdom with all of her family and loved ones. Her pleasant and warm smile, and caring heart is never fading, and she is loved by all that come in contact with her. She is often referred to as Ms. Brown, Brownie, Mama Brown, Mamma Kendrick, Madea and just Mama by so many.
To the family she is the quiet in the storm, the strength to our weakness, the hope to our despair. She gives us her love and teaches us how to love. We are always in her prayers. We are five generations and counting. She is and forever will be THE BOSS.
Happy 100th birthday, you are love!