Ruby Wilson Pighee

Ruby Wilson Pighee was born on November 23, 1929 in Hamtramck, Michigan to Fred Wilson Sr., and Alema Stewart-Wilson.

Ruby was reared in a Christian home and she proclaimed Christ as her savior at a young age. After the passing of her mother, she and her siblings relocated to Brinkley, Arkansas where they were raised by their maternal grandparents, Rev. John Henry Stewart and Josephine Stewart.

Ruby received her formal education in Brinkley, Arkansas where she matriculated at Brinkley Academy, the school formed especially for students of color during that period.

Ruby was untied in Holy matrimony to Eugene Harris Sr., and to this union two children were born.

She later married Henry Pighee Sr. in 1950, and to this union, nine children were born.

Ruby was a very upbeat and vibrant woman who never met a stranger. She loved to read the Bible and share the Word of God with anyone she came in contact with. She loved to attend and participate in the Church of God In Christ Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee for several years. She was also a member of the Women’s Bible Class in Little Rock. She was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Brinkley, Arkansas.

On February 14, 2023, the day of love, Ruby finished her earthly journey. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, her husbands, sons Eugene Harris Jr., Marion Pighee, Leroy Pighee, and one son who died at birth, grandson Randy Watson, and a brother Fred Wilson Jr.

Her legacy lives on through her children; Frances Harris-Waddell of Little Rock, AR, Sylvester Pighee of Brinkley, AR, Rufus Pighee of Nashville, TN, Marilyn Lewis of Little Rock, AR, Timothy (Veronica) Pighee of Sherwood, AR, Bernard (Gerrilyn) Pighee of Benton, AR, and Paul (Linda) Pighee of Cedar Hill, TX; one sister Elsie Hill of Omaha, NE; nineteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday February 24, 2023 at Branscumb Funeral Home from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Ruby’s life will be celebrated on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 1 pm, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Brinkley, Arkansas. Burial will take place at Haven Rest Cemetery in Brinkley by Branscumb-Johnson-Gilchrest Funeral Home. “The assurance of respect and the commitment of service…” (870) 734-2772.