Barbara “Ruth” Moss Black died three days short of her 86th birthday, surrounded by her family and remembered and lifted up by those her love had touched in places across the country.
Ruth was born to Robert “Bob” Lafayette Moss and Marian Skinner Moss on May 25, 1937. The Moss family had many adventures, and three of their four children were born in different towns. Ruth was born in Nocona, Texas and, like many things in Texas, was large as a newborn. Ruth’s given name was Barbara, but she was always called Ruth. Unfortunately, Ruth’s father contracted tuberculosis. He died on November 8, 1943, when Ruth was six years old. Ruth and her siblings grew up in the dorms of the Lena Pope Children’s Home where their mother worked, moving out after their mother remarried.
With two teachers for grandparents, Ruth valued education. She graduated from Oklahoma College for Women in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961 with a Master of Religious Education, which was later converted to a Master of Arts degree. Ruth met Roy Frederick Black at the seminary and married him on August 12, 1961. Ruth finished her degree at the seminary then worked as a schoolteacher while Roy finished his degree. They welcomed their first child, Crystal Lee Black, to their family in February, 1963. Roy finished his seminary classes in 1967, after which the family moved to Florida, where he began his preaching career. Their second child, Rex Alan Black, was born in September, 1967.
Ruth began teaching physical education and worked for all of her Florida teaching career at Carver Junior High School. Roy chose to teach while still preaching in small churches. Teaching also allowed Ruth and Roy to do one of the activities Ruth was passionate about, traveling and spending time in nature. Ruth had worked as a camp counselor in the summers before she met Roy. Upon retiring from teaching, Ruth and Roy went to the Northwest to work as church starters and growers for the Southern Baptist Convention, working in Kimball, Nebraska, Green River, Wyoming, and Cody, Wyoming, to name a few. After their time in Green River, Ruth and Roy bought a house in Royal Harbor in Tavares, Florida, where they would spend the winters, returning to the Wyoming area the rest of the year.
Ruth loved the outdoors, hiking, traveling, reading her bible, praying, her children, grandchildren, and her one great-granddaughter. Her life reflected her love of God in how she loved and supported those around her. Many times, her children have heard someone tell them that Ruth was a good person, and she gave the best hugs.
Ruth was preceded in death by her dad Robert Moss, her mother Marian Moss Johnson, her stepdad Derwood Johnson, her baby sister Mary Myrtle Moss, and her beloved husband Roy Black.
Ruth leaves behind her brother Rex Lee Moss, her sister Joan Moss Denstorff (Jerry), sister-in-law (and sister by choice) Ruth Moore, brother-in-law Roger Black (Patsy Black), daughter Crystal Lee Black (Gregory Harris), son Rex Alan Black (Kelley), grandson Ian Black, granddaughter Erika Black-Atkinson (Shaheim Atkinson), grandchildren Emerson Black and Naomi Harris, beloved great-granddaughter Arabella Black, bonus grandchildren Jacob Wurtz and Colton Cawood, and a wealth of friends who will miss her fierce hugs but will continue to share her love in ever-widening circles.
Ruth loved people, the beauty of God’s creation, and her family, but most of all she loved her Savior. If you knew Ruth, if she touched your life, go out and hug those around you today. Tell them it’s from Ruth.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at the First Baptist Church Tavares, 124 N. Joanna Avenue, Tavares, Florida, 32778. A memorial service will follow in the church at 11:00AM. Interment will take place at Lakeside Memory Gardens, Eustis.
Gifts in honor of Ruth can be given in lieu of flowers. Her preferred charities are The Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention in Casper, Wyoming, the Canadian Baptist Convention located in Alberta, Canada, The First Baptist Church of Tavares, Florida, or the International Mission Board located in Richmond, Virginia.
For those unable to join us in person, Ruth Black’s Memorial Service can be watched at The First Baptist Church of Tavares’ Facebook Page.
