Ruthie M Cobb

A Journey of Ninety-Five Blessed Years

Mrs. Ruthie Mae Vales Cobb, the daughter of the late Ruby L. Buchanan Harper and the late Robert E. Vales, was born in the McDew Community in Hazelhurst, Georgia, on a Tuesday afternoon before sunset. She attended St. Matthews School in Hazlehurst, Georgia. She has resided in St. Matthews Community, Hazelhurst, Georgia, Tennessee, returned to Hazelhurst, Georgia, and was a longtime resident of St. Simons Island, Georgia.

She married Leotis Cobb. To this union, seven children were born: James Otis, Claude Frank, Linton Earl, Steven Dewitt, Ruby Ann, Sherry Elane, and Davis Lee.

After moving to St. Simons Island, she became part of a small prayer cell that later grew into St. Luke AME Church, where she faithfully served as Secretary for most of its existence.

She was employed at Epworth‐by‐the‐Sea, where she served faithfully as a maid, and worked as a private maid for many families over the years. Determined to further her education, she later completed her GED and enrolled in Brunswick Junior College—now known as the College of Coastal Georgia—where she earned an Associate of Science degree in Nursing. Her nursing career included dedicated service at Glynn Brunswick Memorial Hospital (now Southeast Georgia Health System), Heritage Inn and Villas (now Heritage Oaks), private duty nursing care, and Williams Health Care. Beyond her professional work, she remained active in her community as a poll worker during elections, a committed member of the R.U.P.A.A. (Residents United Planning And Action) Group, and a proud supporter of the Georgia Sea Island Festival.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leotis Cobb, and three sons, Davis Lee Cobb, Linton Earl Cobb, and James Otis Cobb.

She leaves a legacy of her life through her children, Reverend Dr. Claude Frank Cobb of Hazelhurst, GA, Steven Dewitt Cobb of St. Simons Island, GA, Ruby Ann Cobb Jackson  (Ronnie) of St. Simons Island, GA, and Sherry Elane Cobb-Thompson (George) of Yulee, FL; eighteen grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren, with a great-great-grandchild on the way; neighbor and good friend, Loretta LeCount; cousin and good friend, Patrica Byron; and a host of other relatives and friends.