Visitation Friday, January 17th, 2014 - 09:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Golden Leaf Baptist Church 5910 Argus Road - Cincinnati, OH - 45224 Funeral Ceremony Friday, January 17th, 2014 - 11:00 AM - Golden Leaf Baptist Church 5910 Argus Road - Cincinnati, OH - 45224 Born in Opelika, Alabama on November 27, 1921 to the union of Iola Clarabelle Edwards and James Henry Hunter. Her early years were shared with her late sister Gussie Lee and brother James Richard. The lessons taught by her maternal Grandmother Annie Page Gentry, parents, in addition, to formative upbringing in the South seeded the root of hard work and spiritual development. Because of her father's untimely death, on faith the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio during the 1930's to be near her Gentry cousins and begin a new life of opportunity. While in Cincinnati Mary Ruth graduated from Douglas Elementary and Hughes High School Class of 1937. Her dream was to become a Registered Dietician. On December 23, 1937 she welcomed her daughter, Sandra Lee and married Richard Holmes. Mary Ruth was a talented cook and for 25 years with her husband Richard and his brother Samuel Bennett owned a diner called the "Dixie Restaurant" on Gilbert Avenue in Walnut Hills. In addition to her gifts as a cook, Mary Ruth was an immaculate housekeeper and dapper dresser. During a time when there were limited career options for women and Colored People, she put her sharp mind to work earning a living as a highly referred and proud domestic homemaker. Her interests included National Council of Negro Women member and Federated Colored Women's Club where she served as Financial Secretary for over 50 years. Also Mary Ruth loved travelling throughout the United States and collecting antiques; especially Flow Blue china and Llardro figurines. Mary Ruth always put the Lord and her family first. Her six grandchildren affectionately named her "Ninnie" for her strong constitution and immediate discipline. By her example, we lived to learn literally what the meaning of the scripture "Honor thy Mother & thy Father that thy days may be long upon the land which thy God has given to thee." We will always cherish her memory and the imprint she has left upon our lives: six loving grandchildren from the union of her daughter Sandra to Bobby Rose; Morie Lee, Melissa Ann, Mark Anthony (deceased) wife Estelle, Keenan, Ivy Rose Casey (Randy) and Edward Dion. Beloved niece Beatrice and nephews Richard Hunter (Elizabeth), Michael Hunter, Steven Hunter deceased (Charlotte) plus dear cousins Carolyn Rosewood and Roberta Randolph. In addition, she is survived by 17 great grandchildren, 8 great great-grandchildren and many relatives and dear friends

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