BANGOR AND BREWER – On Sept. 27, 2012, at 4:35 p.m., Ruby Iris Mae (Valley) Black, 83, stepped from this current mortal existence into life eternal so lovingly prepared by her Savior. Awaiting her arrival and one of the first to welcome her home was the love of her life and husband of 40 years, Bernard. Her departure was attended by many loving family members as she gently slipped away to begin this new adventure. She was born June 25, 1929, in Crouseville, to Iva Myrtle (Garrison) Valley Fuller and Harvey H. Valley, a baby sister to four loving and much older, doting brothers. One special brother, Clayton, survives her today at 97 years of age. From the age of 9 years old, Mama was raised by her special stepfather, our beloved grandfather, Stora Fuller.
As a child she attended local country schools and later attended Zion Bible Institute, East Providence, R.I. She loved to tell the story that she chose our dad from a Zion Bible Institute yearbook a full year before her arrival on campus. She became a wife, mother, caring friend and confidante to many, and served alongside our father in the ministry of the Gospel for many years. She loved planting spring flowers and excelled at painting relaxing landscape scenes. Mother was well known for wearing fancy hats to church; the family invites interested ladies to don their best bonnets for this commemoration.
She is survived by her children, Paul and Jeanette Black, Susan and Ben Estes, Philip and Sharon Black, Joan and Bernard Hall, Scott and Joanne Black, and Dwayne and Marcia Black; as well as many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by three brothers, Harold, Lee and Vaughn; and by grandchildren, Meghan Elizabeth and Christian Rae. The family conveys their heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional medical attention provided to our Mother by the simply outstanding staff at Westgate Manor, Bangor.
Friends may gather with the family 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A celebration of Mother’s life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at Glad Tidings Church, 1033 Broadway, Bangor, with Pastor Ron Morris officiating. A reception will be held after the service. Private committal service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Exeter Center Cemetery. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Westgate Manor Activities Fund, 750 Union St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Ruby Iris Mae (Valley) Black
