Ruby Jean Townsend Herrin

Ruby Jean Townsend Herrin, entered eternal rest peacefully April 27, 2024, at 2:55 pm. She was surrounded by several loving family members and friends at Swedish Orthopedic Institute Seattle; Ruby received exceptional care there.

Ruby was born October 13, 1935, the second of three children born to Walter Sr. and Mattie Stewart Townsend in Madison County, Alabama. In 1947, Ruby, her older brother Walter Jr. and younger sister Lucy, left Huntsville, Alabama, to reunite with their parents who migrated to South Seattle after WWII.

Ruby attended Columbia Elementary School and Franklin High School. After graduating from high school in 1953, Ruby and her brother enlisted in the United States Air Force. She did basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas and was stationed at Eglin Air Force base in Florida. Upon completing her three years of service duty, Ruby received an Honorable Discharge and a National Defense Service Medal. Ruby enrolled in St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Yakima, WA. After working in the maternity ward, Ruby decided the medical field was not her calling and returned to Seattle.

Ruby worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco before relocating to Los Angeles, CA. She worked a number of years for the City of Los Angeles, where she first retired. It was in Los Angeles she met and later married James Herrin, a Los Angeles County Sherriff. James preceded Ruby in death.

Ruby returned to Seattle in the 1980’s after many years away from home. She was employed at Pacific Northwest Bell (US West) now Lumen Technologies (formerly Century Link). It was from the phone company she retired the second time but continued to stay active. Ruby was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Seattle, regularly attending healing mass, monthly senior luncheons, and outings. She volunteered counting money on Mondays. Ruby also volunteered in the business office at Branch Villa Healthcare Center. She was a dedicated volunteer at the VA Medical Center in Seattle, where she contributed over 4,000 volunteer hours.

Ruby stayed connected to the Air Force. She traveled across country year after year to attend Women in the Air Force Reunions until the COVID-19 pandemic. Other travels were to the Holy Land, Egypt, and Rome to name a few. Although Ruby was quiet and reserved, her life was well lived.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and nephew.

She leaves to cherish her memories a devoted sister, Lucy Townsend Winston, an Aunt Mary (Clarence) West of Los Angeles, CA and her loving nephews and nieces: Frances Guyton, Paulette (Clarence) Williams, Norman Mitchell, Lisa Townsend Vickers, Denise Hunter, Sheryl (Bruce) Troxell, Jacquelyn Lowe and Thomas (Latamla) Townsend.

She also leaves great nephews and nieces who she loved dearly: Mario (Eugenia) Pierce, Terence and Chandler Williams, April Hunter, Kiasha Brown, Nicci & Jayson Lowe, Waheeda Francis and Josiah Townsend.

Others who mourn her passing include Sarah Bell 105 years old and cousin in Alabama, Tamara Buie, Goddaughter and mother Patricia Wren, South Carolina, caring “adopted” Nephew and Niece Allen Taylor & Sista LeEtta, Church Companions Catherine Mirkin, Mary Ott and Christopher Shelley and many others who called her “Aunt Ruby”. All will miss her kind and loving spirit.

A visitation for Ruby will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will occur Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Evergreen Washelli followed by a Graveside Service at 2:00 PM, Abbey View Memorial Park, 3601 Alaska Rd, Brier, WA 98036. Please join the Livestream if you are unable to attend in person. Link listed below in service information.