The Ruth Boyd Elder Abuse Foundation was founded in memory of Mrs. Ruth Boyd, a beloved wife and mother, whose life was tragically cut short due to an act of elder abuse.
To honor her legacy, her daughter, Rosalind "Bee" Harris, published a first-person narrative to share her story, increase awareness about elder abuse and save lives.
May her memory live on.
"The Story of Ruth"
Published on Mother's Day 2023 by Rosalind J. Harris
"Big Ma's Place" (Preface)
“You may have heard that Toot died today…”
– Michelle Obama (November 3, 2008)
I was excited to see and hear Michelle Obama at then presidential candidate Barack Obama’s last campaign rally in Colorado. My friend Misti and I had attended almost all of his campaign rallies in the state, anticipating the election of the first Black President of the United States.
Michelle Obama was eloquent and engaging as usual even while making the announcement that Toot, the grandmother who had raised Barack Obama, had died. Even though it’s been fourteen years since she died, what Michelle said still resonates in my spirit because Toot was not the only woman who had died that day.
The rally was about an hour long but within that time my cell phone starting ringing like crazy and text messages were pouring in. What in the hell has happened, was all I could ask myself? I was soon informed by my brother that my mother had also died – found in her home at eighty years from blunt force injuries.
My heart sank with pain, and I couldn’t believe what I had heard.
That was the beginning of my soul searching, which brings me to this point of honoring and remembering the life of my mother, Ruth Juanita Smith James Boyd. I have written this book to memorialize her life.
Losing my mother was devastating, and nothing you would ever expect from a well-known and respected African American family living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And because of the mystifying circumstances, hearts were broken, and family ties were destroyed.
How and why could this happen to a woman who loved life, her family, and was referred to by many as such a “sweet and caring” woman? Only God knows.
I think about her every day, and I feel her spirit around me. She guides me on a daily basis. I hear her words. Like her Mother was to her, she is to me – my everything. I know she is watching over all of us. And I pray that she is at peace.
As you take the time to read this book about a simple woman from Mississippi who truly loved life, just remember that lives may be taken from the physical realm – but don’t worry – because spirits live on. They come in many forms. Just listen and hear, because they are always with you.
And one day you will be joined with them again.
About "The Story of Ruth"
The Story of Ruth is a first person narrative about the life and journey of an African American woman who grew up in the deep south during the Jim Crow era.
Ruth Smith was an only child who was very close to her mother and father. They moved north leaving her in Mississippi at the age of 17. In 1948, Ruth and her young husband and baby eventually migrated north also in pursuit of the American Dream, but more importantly to be closer to her parents.
She was a devoted wife and mother and after being a homemaker for many years, she worked in hospitality. She was the mother of six children who gave her a multitude of grand-, great- and great-great grand-children.
At the time, and shortly before her untimely and tragic death at the age of 80, she was happy to have cast her vote for Barack Obama, the first African American US President.
Author Rosalind J. Harris is the daughter of Ruth Juanita Smith James Boyd. She is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Based in Denver, Colorado, she is the publisher of the award-winning Denver Urban Spectrum (DUS), a community publication that has been spreading the news about people of color since 1987.
The monthly publication has been hailed as the go to publication for news and information. It has profiled national personalities including Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and many others.
Rosalind Harris is recognized as a well-respected leader. For over three decades, she and DUS have received hundreds of media and journalism awards locally and nationally.
This book is her proudest possession and most important published work, thus far.
For the many lives she touched and for those who loved her, Rosalind Harris has penned this book in memory of her mother who passed away on November 3, 2008, the day before Barack Obama became America's first Black president of the U.S.