Ruth P. Baynes, daughter of the late Emmett and Lucy Pugh, was born on Sept. 22, 1933, in Charlotte Court House, Va. She departed this life suddenly after 77 years on Dec. 31, 2010.? Ruth was educated in the Charlotte Court House Public School System and she graduated from Central High School in 1950. She matriculated to Virginia State University but after one year of attendance, transferred to the then-Morgan State College, where she earned a bachelor’s of science degree in 1956. While a student at Morgan she was inducted into the Promethean Kappa Tau Freshman Honor Society.
Ruth met Holice, the love of her life, while they were students at Central High School in Charlotte Court House. Their love of sports brought them together. During their time at Central, Ruth played volleyball and basketball. At one point, they were each captain of their respective basketball team.
In 1951, Holice was drafted into the United States Army. After completing his tour of duty, he joined Ruth in Baltimore, Md., and they were married on June 12, 1954. From this union, one daughter, Terri, was born. From the day they met until her untimely passing, Ruth and Holice spent 60 years loving each other. They were truly soul mates who enjoyed watching sports, traveling, and worshiping together.
Ruth began her teaching career in the Baltimore City Public Schools in 1957, one year after the birth of daughter. For more than three decades she taught physical education at Frederick Douglass High School, School 181, and Harlem Park Middle School, where she finished her teaching career. Both she and Holice retired in 1990. At her retirement party, she was saluted by the Baltimore City Public Schools System for 33 years of excellent service. She also received a Certificate of Merit from former Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke for her many years of dedicated service to the children of Baltimore City.
Ruth received her early Christian education from Beautiful Plains Baptist Church in Charlotte Court House. In 1965, Ruth joined Trinity Presbyterian Church, where she served as a faithful member until her passing. She was very involved with Trinity Presbyterian Women (TPW), serving as moderator on more than one occasion. Ruth took great pleasure in serving as chair or co-chair of the Women’s Day Brunch Committee and especially delighted in coordinating the annual fashion show that took place during the brunch. In 1994 she received an Honorary Life Membership from TPW in recognition of her outstanding service to the church and to the women of Trinity. A strong advocate for Christian education, she taught Sunday school, led the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, helped coordinate Vacation Bible School each summer, and co-led the Thomas P. Fraser III Bible Study Circle which met on Saturday each month. An ordained elder, Ruth also served as Trinity’s clerk of session for 11 years.
Ruth’s commitment to service was not limited to Trinity. She was a member of the Charlotte High Alumni Association, serving as its president for eight years. She was a member of the Howard L. Cornish Chapter of the Morgan State University Alumni Association and she was a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.