Mother Ruby Mae Earven

In Helena, Arkansas on October 27, 1928, the late Ruben and Idella (Brooks) Smith birthed one of three extraordinary children and they named the child Ruby Mae Smith.

At the early age of (13), Ruby Mae accepted salvation and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in New Madrid, Missouri under the leadership of the late Elder B.B. Glispie. Ruby served as secretary of Sunday School and Y.P.W.W. at the age of 14, and was appointed teacher of the small children. She moved from Missouri to Erie, PA in June 1944. There she became a member of the COGIC under the leadership of Elder J.D. Myers and became a member of the choir, and the usher board.

On March 24, 1945, she relocated to Benton Harbor, MI with her parents and became a member of the COGIC under the leadership of the late Bishop Nathaniel Wells Sr. Here she became a member of the choir, usher board, Sunday school teacher, and assistant secretary of the church. Ruby humbly served in the kitchen, directed the choir for twenty-four years, and was the superintendent of the Sunday school department.

In 1946 she met the love of her life the late Rev. Leroy Earven, and united in Holy matrimony on June 6, 1948. To this union, one son was born, Larry Leroy Earven.

As the Lord had a calling on her life at age (18) Ruby was called to become a Missionary but tried to sing her way out of it. In 1950 she received her first Missionary license from Mother Lillian B. Coffey. She was appointed State Purity Lady on the Western end of Southwest Michigan in 1952 by Mother Coffey. She was appointed District Missionary in 1966 and served with the late Supt. Nathaniel Wells Sr. until 1971 when her husband Eld. Leroy Earven became pastor of Emanuel COGIC in Decatur, Michigan. She then became a helper to her husband in his ministry in the Village of Decatur. Mother Ruby served steadfastly in various capacities from church janitor to Mothers Board President.

Mother Earven has served Statewide as President of the Minister's Wives, State Aid President, assisting Mother Belvin in her work on the Western end, she worked with the National Hospitality group, Task Force Secretary, and worker, Co-chairperson of the Special Detain, Bus Escorts, Assistant Supervisor of Southwest MI #3 Jurisdiction for four years with Supervisor Birdie S. Flake. In November of 1989, Ruby was selected by Bishop Elton A. Lawrence as Elect State Supervisor of the Province of Canada. She was later appointed by the International Supervisor, Dr. Mattie McGlothen to serve as the Jurisdictional Supervisor of the Women’s Department.

Ruby was a proud graduate of Benton Harbor Sr. High School. She continued her education and graduated from Lake Michigan College and Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.

Mother Ruby was a beautiful woman of God who was always willing to help those in need. The need would be inclusive of sharing her wisdom, a word of correction, or motherly love. Mother Ruby was an exceptional woman of God who practiced excellence. She clothed herself in humility and was a dear mother to all.

Mother Ruby Mae Smith-Earven departed this earthly life early Sunday Morning-March 17, 2024, assured by 2nd Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Mother Ruby Mae Earven leaves to cherish her memory and her legacy of Holiness in the heart of her son, Larry Earven; two grandchildren, Miesha Dorsey (Nat) of Houston, TX, and Jerrold Coakley (Sonya), of Redlands, CA; two bonus granddaughters, Ronica and Jennifer Williams; two great-grandchildren, Jayston Coakley and Schuyler Coakley both of Redlands, CA; her sister, Surfronia Pitts, of Benton Harbor, MI; three nieces, Jolita (Maurice) Burton of Benton Harbor, MI, Leontyne (Pastor James L.) Hines of Jackson, MI, and Renee Franklin of Benton Harbor, MI; one nephew, Wali Muhammad of Canada. She will also be remembered by countless great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, godchildren, one bonus niece, Chairase Dorsey and numerous friends into whom she has poured her love, along with her wise and treasured counsel.

Mother Earven was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Earven, her parents, Ruben Smith, Willie and Idella Lee, her brother, Sammie Smith "My Baby" ; one nephew Tony Pitts and one special great nephew Antonio Chears.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mother Ruby Mae Earven, please visit our floral store.