Elder Ruby Nell Mitchell Murchison September 20, 1932 - October 24, 2020

September 1932 – October 2020

Elder Ruby Nell Mitchell Murchison, daughter of the late Albert Mitchell and Vera O’Daniel, was born September 20, 1932, in Armorel, Arkansas.  After the union of her mother and stepfather Jeff Page the family relocated to Dos Palos, California where she received her education.

Ruby met and married Frederick D. Murchison in 1947. The couple resided in Forest Hill, California, and eventually moved to Reno, Nevada, where they settled to raise their family.

Ruby worked both in and out of the home.  She worked several years in the nursing field before going to work for the State of Nevada, Department of Transportation, from which she retired.

Ruby was the first in her family to become a follower of Christ at age eleven.  She loved serving Jesus and teaching others to follow Him. She was a member of Faith Temple COGIC in Reno, Nevada serving under the late Superintendent Willie J. Wynn.  She also served under Pastor Live M. Tau and Bishop William John Wynn.

She served in the church in many capacities including, Nevada State Examining Board for Missionaries, President and Advisor for the Northern District Missionary Board, Mother’s and Missionary’s Board, President of the Sewing Circle, President of Bible Band, and Coordinator of Communion.

After the death of her husband of 62 years, Ruby relocated to Patterson, California.  In 2016 she was promoted from Missionary to Elder by Bishop David J. McNeir while a member of New Beginnings Tabernacle of Praise in Modesto, California. The church later joined fellowship with Bethlehem Christian Center in Modesto, where she was installed as Church Mother by Pastor James Bobo, Jr.

Ruby, a woman of many talents, was nicknamed “˜Tabitha’ because her hands were anointed and gifted.  She was popular for baking the best cakes and was the ultimate crochet master.  Over the years, she crocheted numerous blankets, clothing, afghans, baby outfits, potholders, and other items to give to others.  Most of the children in the family were given a hand-made blanket, a cap, or scarf; she was not a woman with “idle hands”.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick D. Murchison, Sr., son Delbert E. Fields-Murchison; her parents; sisters Mary Helen Davis and Dorothy Ann Moore. Those who remain to cherish her memory are sons: Frederick D. Murchison, Jr. (Melody) of Patterson, CA; Freddie D. Scott of Reno, NV; daughters: Francella Murchison-Taylor and Cheryle Patrice Church (Clarence) of Manteca, CA.; her brother Jeff D. Paige, Jr. (Blanchie) of Diamond Bar, CA, and sisters: Verlie Layne of Ellenton, Florida and Arnetta Albert (Jimmy) of Manteca, CA.; eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She will be greatly missed as the highly respected Matriarch of our family.

Visitation will be held at Allen Mortuary Thursday, November 5th from 5 – 7pm. Homegoing Celebration will be held at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church; 530 4^th St. Modesto, CA, Friday, November 6^th at 11am. Elder Murchison will be laid to rest in Sierra Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Reno, NV. November 9^th.

Please share memories and condolences in the guestbook below.