Ruby Iretha Davis Brown was born on January 21, 1927, in Richmond, Virginia, to Joseph and Henrietta Lewis Davis, the youngest of four children. A gifted student, she began first grade at age five and graduated from Virginia Randolph High School in Glen Allen, Virginia, at 15. In 1943, at age 16, she enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. While at NC A&T, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and sang in the university choir.

After graduation, Ruby taught Home Economics at Voorhees School and Junior College in Denmark, South Carolina, from 1947 to 1948. She then moved to Newark, New Jersey, worked in various positions, and later relocated to New York City, where she worked as an assistant dietitian at Montefiore Hospital. Returning to Virginia, she became an administrative dietitian at Piedmont Sanatorium in Burkeville, where she met Nathaniel H. Brown Jr. They married in 1953, and their son, Nathaniel H. Brown III, was born the following year.

Following her divorce in 1956, Ruby and her sister Lea returned to New Jersey and settled in East Orange.

After several years, Ruby and Lea were joined by their mother, and Ruby's son, Nat, who moved to NJ from Virginia. Ruby worked as a dietitian at Elizabeth General Hospital before joining Mountainside Hospital in 1958 as an administrative dietitian. She later became a therapeutic dietitian, now known as a clinical dietitian, and was promoted to Chief Clinical Dietitian. She retired from Mountainside Hospital in December 1989 after 31 years of service. A lifelong learner, Ruby also completed continuing education courses at Rutgers University, Montclair State University, and Iowa State University.

Ruby and Lea were excellent cooks who loved entertaining and serving delicious meals. Each December, while on vacation, Ruby hosted a brunch in their apartment for choir members, co-workers, and friends.

Ruby was deeply committed to her church and community. She served as the past president of the Inter North Jersey Alumni Council of the United Negro College Fund. She joined Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in the early 1970s and was a devoted member of both the Chancellor Choir and Celebration Mass Choir.

Shortly before retiring, Ruby became a grandmother when Alexandra Paige (Sandy) was born. Ruby and Lea doted on her. When Ruby babysat Sandy on her day off, Lea would stay home, too, to "supervise."

Ruby did not remain retired for long. She enrolled in computer classes at the North Ward Center and, upon completing the program, was hired as office manager in Dr. Ronald DelVento's office, where she worked for eight years.

After her second retirement, Ruby devoted even more time to church service. A socially conscious woman, she joined Elmwood's newly formed Social Justice Ministry, participating in a voter registration drive, protesting poor conditions at the East Orange ShopRite, and serving on a phone bank for the Obama campaign in 2008. She also served on the Mail Squad, helping send correspondence to church members before the days of e-blasts.

In her later years at South Mountain Healthcare in Vauxhall, Ruby remained engaged with the world around her. She closely followed current events and enjoyed discussing politics with family and friends, in person and by phone. She eagerly participated in activities and modeled in several fashion shows, placing third in the Christmas show. She especially enjoyed bingo, trivia, live musical performances, and church services. She looked forward to visits from the Pastoral Care Team and the annual Pastor Pull Up.

On her 99th birthday in January 2026, Ruby was delighted by a celebration in her honor attended by the Pastoral Care Team. The gathering was especially meaningful as four generations of the Davis family were represented.

Ruby departed this life on August 9, 2026.

She was predeceased by her son, Nathaniel H. Brown III; her siblings, Leatrice Davis, Dr. Joseph C. Davis, Sr., and Robert J. Davis, Sr.; and her nephews, Robert J. Davis, Jr., and James S. Davis.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Alexandra Brown; daughter-in-law, Deborah Covington Brown; nieces Janice E. Rashed, Deborah A. Suddarth (Col. (Ret.) Steven), Linda E. Sarpy (James L., Jr.), Barbara Y. Shade, and Karen R. Ruth (Darren); nephew Joseph C. Davis, Jr. (Judith Wright); niece-in-law Theresa Davis; and a host of great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Ruby also leaves behind her Elmwood family and special friends Delores Cushnie, Shirley Gainor, Anita Mack, and Madeline Hargrove.