Ruth Elizabeth Spivey passed away peacefully, on January 11, 2010.  She was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend who fought an almost three year battle against breast cancer with grace and dignity.   She was known for her welcoming smile, kind heart and wonderful sense of humor.  

Ruth was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina.  She had a passion for learning and teaching and was able to travel extensively in her lifetime.   She received a B.A. in French from Bennett College, a M.A. in French from the University of Michigan with additional studies at New York University, Teacher's Institute (Reims, France), Sorbonne (Paris, France), the University of Geneva (Geneva, Switzerland), the University of Illinois and University of Chicago.  During her career, she taught all levels of French and English in Florida, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey and Illinois.  She retired from Chicago City Colleges where she taught for twenty years and received numerous recognitions as an outstanding educator.   

She also played an important role in her husband, Dr. Charles S. Spivey, Jr.'s success in his positions and appointments to Payne Theological Seminary (OH), The National Council of Churches (NY), The World Council of Churches (Switzerland), Church Federation of Greater Chicago and Quinn A.M.E. Church and Coppin Memorial A.M.E. Church, both in Chicago.

In 1995, she and her husband moved to Jacksonville.  They became members of Historic Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church.  In 2007, the Spiveys moved to Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, a community where she made many new friends and was very happy.

She leaves to cherish her memory, devoted husband Dr. Charles Spivey, Jr., son Charles Spivey III of Seattle, WA, daughters Lisa Spivey of Jacksonville, FL and Elayne Spivey-Woodard (Eddy) of Spring, TX, grandson Bryan Coleman of London, UK; sister Rosa Hinton of Augusta, GA, brother Percival Everett (Dorothy) of Charlotte, NC, sister-in-laws Harriett Everett of Buffalo, NY and Mary Everett of New Rochelle, NY, cousins, nieces, nephews and many very dear friends.