Last Updated on August 11, 2022
Today we’re honoring the life of Authentic Floridian Miss Ruby C Williams, who passed away on August 8, 2022, at the age of 94 (we think, she never wanted to talk about her age).
Miss Ruby Williams was known for her brightly colored folk art paintings that she sold in her produce stand and walk-in gallery near her home in Bealsville, Florida (Plant City).
Among Florida’s oldest continuous African-American communities, Bealsville’s story has been one of drive, hard work, and determination. Miss Ruby’s roots ran deep in Bealsville: her great grandmother, Mary Reddick, was one of 12 formerly enslaved people who founded the town in 1865.
Miss Ruby C. Williams was born and raised in Bealsville, and then moved to New Jersey where she became a minister. She practiced her ministry in New Jersey for 25 years where she spent much of her time helping underprivileged children “find their way” through spiritual guidance. After that, she returned home to farm the land that had remained in her family for more than a century.
She began painting brightly colored signs to advertise her produce stand on the side of State Road 60. In 1991, local folk artist Rodney Hardee stopped by and asked her if she did any other paintings—and the rest is history.
Miss Ruby was a true United States visionary artist, spiritual businesswoman and evangelical minister. She was known to put bible verses and folk wisdom mixed with bright colors!
In 2005, Mrs. Williams received the Florida Folk Heritage Award, and, in that same year, her work was featured in the exhibition “On Their Own: Selected Works by Self-Taught African American Artists” at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C.
In 2009, Miss Ruby was awarded The Folk Art Society of America’s Award of Distinction. She also published a charming children’s book titled “I Am Ruby,” where each page is adorned with her wisdom and colorful imagery. Her artwork is in many public and private collections worldwide.
Rest in peace, Miss Ruby. May your art and memory be a blessing to all the souls you touched.
Learn more about RCW and see her art at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery in Sanford.
If you would like to send condolences to her family, please send to: 2001 Hwy. 60 East, Plant City, FL 33567
NOTE: Featured photo of Miss Ruby is from the Orange County Arts Commission (in North Carolina, not Florida).
My quality of life has been enhanced by witnessing the trajectory of Ruby’s success. I purchased the first of my collection of her folk art at her humble fruit stand gallery in Bealsville, Florida. Later, I flew to Washington, D.C. to celebrate her folk art being installed at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum.
Ruby was a true gem.
Bless her and her family! I knew her as Aunt Ruby. Worked with her niece and met her thru her. She was truly an original person.. She will be missed!