Ruby N. Gamble was a devout Jehovah’s Witness who loved the ministry.

She died March 10, 2012. She was 96.

She was born Oct. 17, 1915 in Ozark, Ala. Gamble was educated in the Alabama public school system and earned her high school diploma in 1932.

In 1937, she traveled to Philadelphia in search of employment and to join her sisters. While in Philadelphia, she worked as a domestic worker, a power machine operator and eventually landed a job with the Philadelphia Health Department as laboratory technician - a job that she was very proud of and ultimately retired from in 1977.

Because of her love for the ministry, Gamble became a full time minister (pioneer) in 1984 devoting up to 90 hours per month in preaching work. 

She was especially known for her street witnessing. On any given day, she could be seen with her fellow Jehovah's Witnesses walking the distance from Stenton Avenue to City Hall, preaching to all along the way. On other days, she might be seen at the Amtrak 30th Street train station where she passed out Watchtower literature to travelers.

Her son, Kenneth Gamble, became half of the legendary songwriting and production duo of Gamble and Huff. She was the inspiration behind the classic Intruders hit, “I’ll Always Love My Mama.”

“Our mother was extremely special,” Kenneth Gamble said on behalf of the Gamble family.

“She was the kindest person in our lives. More importantly, she was the inspiration for everything I have done in life, including creating the wonderful music that others have enjoyed around the world. We will truly miss her.”

“As the matriarch of the family, she was a spiritual person who devoted her life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her kindness and peacefulness will never be forgotten." 

She was preceded in death by three siblings.

She is survived by her sons, Charles Sr., Kenneth and Carl; two siblings; and 19 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 17 at 1 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 6826-40 Ardleigh St.