Ruby Polk Wortham

Ruby Polk Wortham was born in Beaumont, Texas on February 18th, 1931.  She was the eldest of two daughters born to Leonard and Cecile Polk.

Her education began at Pipkin Elementary in Beaumont prior to the family relocating to Portland, Oregon in 1943. Secondary years in the Pacific Northwest were spent at Cleveland High School prior to attending and graduating from Lewis and Clark College in 1951.

Ruby and her family were active members of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. There, she sang in choir, taught Sunday school, and married Theodore Wortham in 1957. The couple later christened their only child at Portland’s second oldest African American house of worship as well.

Ruby began her professional career teaching kindergarten at Volunteers of America and then worked tirelessly for the Portland Public School District in excess ofthirty years.  Her niche was the primary grades where she joyously inspired youngsters, and served as mentor-teacher to young educators. All of this motivated her own daughter to follow in her footsteps.

God beckoned His good and faithful servant to dwell among saints on July 27 ^th , 2015. As a spirit-filled Christian, Ruby’s walk in life has radiated both a deep love of humanity and profound generosity.

Preceding her in paradise are her beloved parents, Leonard and Cecile Polk and sister Betty Jane Jefferson.

In the wake of her passing, she leaves her daughter, Cecile Lynnette Wortham; nieces, Crystol Celeste and Cynthia Joslynn Jefferson; brother-in-law, Otis Jefferson, and a host of incredible cousins and friends who will indeed cherish her memory.