THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701170002
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 40 lines
Ruthie Mae Benyard Brown, 50, of the 3300 block of Sir Meliot Drive died Jan. 15, 1997, peacefully as she slept with her family at her side at her residence.
A retired mathematics teacher at Blair Middle School, Norfolk Public Schools, she had 25 years of service. Mrs. Brown was a native of Norfolk, the daughter of Ruthie Perry Benyard and the late Robert Benyard. She was the widow of Frank T. Brown Jr. and a member of First Church of Christ Holiness (USA), Norfolk. At the time of her death, she was working on the church's annual Women and Men Day Program. She was an active member of the Portsmouth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she served as recording secretary. She was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Norfolk, Class of 1964. She graduated from Norfolk State University in 1968 and earned her master's of education degree from Hampton University.
Survivors include her son, Thomas James Brown of the home; two goddaughters, Letricia Golden of Texas and Tariena Fleedwood of Virginia Beach; two godsons, Qwentin Hicks and Vincent Gary, both of Chesapeake; six sisters, Carolyn Golden and husband, Harry Golden, of Texas, Helen Luster and husband, Lorenza Luster, of Chesapeake, Crystal Atwater and husband, Steven Atwater, of Newport News, Shelia Scott of Norfolk, Marie Gregg of New York and Emma Larrymore of New York; three brothers, Robert Benyard Jr. and wife, Lottie Benyard, of Maryland, Clarence Benyard and wife, Barbara R. Benyard, of Georgia, and Joe Lewis Benyard of New York; six nieces, Letricia and Kathleen Golden, Stephanie and LeAnne Luster, Alexandria Atwater and Denai Benyard; three nephews, Jonathan Scott, Clarence Jr. and Christopher Benyard; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral will be conducted at noon Monday in First Church of Christ Holiness (USA) by the Rev. Lindsey Jones. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. Viewing will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday in Riddick Funeral Service. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Delta Sigma Theta Memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. in the funeral home.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY