Ruby Reynolds Slay Heil, 97, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013.
She was born February 8, 1916 in Atlanta, GA to John K. and Evie Lela Reynolds. She was a member of the North Cleveland Church of God. Soon after Ruby’s marriage to Reverend James L. Slay, in 1940, Reverend Slay accepted the pastorate of the North Cleveland Church of God. Cleveland, Tennessee became “home” for the Slays for five years. Their two sons, James (Rusty) and Jerry were born during the Slay’s tenure in Cleveland.During their forty years of marriage James and Ruby Slay with their sons served in ministerial assignments for the Church of God in California, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia and South Africa.The Slays returned to Cleveland in 1962. Dr. Slay was appointed to serve the Church of God World Missions Department and Ruby was employed by the Cleveland City School system first as a classroom teacher. After five years in the classroom she was appointed as Director of Title 1 Program. Later she was asked by Cleveland City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ronald P. Yates, to serve as Supervisor of Elementary Education as well as Director of Title 1. Ruby and Dr. Slay retired in 1978 and moved from Cleveland to Daphne, Alabama to be close to Linwood’s family. After Linwood’s death in 1988, Ruby remained in Daphne. She and Wayne Heil married in 1995. In June of 2007 Ruby and Wayne moved from Alabama to make their home at Garden Plaza of Cleveland on Keith Street.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James L. Slay; parents, John K. and Evie Lela Reynolds; three brothers, J.S. Reynolds, J.K. Reynolds and Paul Reynolds; and two sisters, Pauline Morphy and Evelyn Rickerson.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Wayne Heil; two sons, James L. Slay, Jr. (Rusty) and daughter-in-law Dianne Slay of Tualatin, Orgeon and Dr. Jerry L. Slay and daughter-in-law, Susan Slay of Nolensville, TN; three grandchildren, Jennifer Slay of Portland, OR, Jason Slay and Jessica Slay of Nolensville, TN; one great-granddaughter, Chelsea Slay of Nolensville, TN; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Slay of Spanish Fort, AL, Mamie Reynolds of Morrisville, NC; several nieces and nephews; step-son, Duane Heil and wife, Sandy of Noblesville, IN; ten grandchildren, including Dawn Williams and husband Michael of Greenville, SC, Daronda Eakle and husband Paul of Knoxville and Darren Heil and wife Elizabeth of Fishers, IN; and two great-great grandchildren.
A “Celebration of Life Service” will be held in the Dixon Chapel of the North Cleveland Church of God on Saturday, December 28, at 1 p.m. with Reverend Clyne W. Buxton, Reverend Dr. Don Aultman and Reverend Mitchell Maloney officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 28, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:50 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
The family suggests memorials be made to the “Slay Endowment Fund” – Pentecostal Theological Seminary, 900 Walker Street, Cleveland, Tennessee 37311.
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.