Ms. Ruth Estelle Kemper

Ruth Estelle Kemper went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 16th , 2024 in the loving presence of her twin daughters in West Bloomfield, MI. Ruth was 79 years old. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan on August 27, 1944, daughter of the late John H. and Ethel E. Kemper. Ruth absolutely loved life. She enjoyed spending time and traveling with her family and friends. But her greatest joy was that of her twin daughter’s and grandchildren. Ruth was known for her delicious barbecued ribs and often made them for family reunions and other events. She was an avid bowler who loved dancing to her favorite entertainer the late Michael Jackson. She loved listening and dancing to the Blues, going to movies and gaming with her grandkids. She was fiercely competitive and would lovingly accuse them of cheating when she lost. She was the Detroit Lions number one fan and would don her Lions gear every Sunday and participate in the family weekly NFL pool winning two years in a row! Ruth had a special place in her heart for her “furry babies” the family cats and they loved her too. Her family referred to her as the “Taco” Queen. She and her brother Johnny enjoyed taco eating contests throughout the years. She turned over the reins to her daughter Cici and would enjoy eating her tacos every Saturday without fail for the last four years while living with her daughter and family. Ruth graduated from Saginaw High School in 1962. She later attended, graduating from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelors of Education degree and later she achieved two Master’s degrees. Upon completing her student teaching, Ruth taught at Nelle Haley, Longstreet and Heavenrich Elementary Schools before teaching at South Middle School retiring from teaching after 40+ years of faithful service to her students and community. Ruth was a member of Bethel AME Church Saginaw for over 78 years. She was a dedicated lifetime member of Phi Delta Kappa Inc. Gamma Kappa Chapter of Saginaw, where she dutifully served as Treasurer and Basileus. She was the co-advisor for the Xenos, Phi Delta Kappa's Youth Group. Ruth was also a dedicated and beloved member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Zeta Omega Zeta Chapter Saginaw for over 40 years. She served on various committees, including the finance committee, the Zeta Debutant Ball committee, and she spent countless hours on the publication of the annual Finer Womanhood Program. On the state level Ruth served as a Michigan State Organization Parliamentarian. She was appointed by Zeta‘s International President as a resident agent of “Birchhaven” a cottage located in Idlewild, Michigan, one of the sororities three properties. Ruth also found time to serve as co-chair of the Saginaw High School 1962 class reunion planning committee. Her memory will be forever cherished by her twin daughters, Cynthia (Julious) Corley-Washington, West Bloomfield, Mi and Victoria (Eric Christopher) Corley-Hayes, Auburn Hills, MI; two grandchildren, Brittane’ Corley-Washington and Cameron Corley-Washington, West Bloomfield, MI; three siblings, Martha (Vernell) Ramsey, Detroit, MI, John (Regina) Kemper, Orlando, FL and Robert (Steve) Kemper, Stratham, New Hampshire; one aunt, Lucille Shelby, Saginaw, MI and a loving stepdaughter, Serina (Rodney) Lawrence-Francis, Nashville, TN. Also left to cherish her memory are her dearest friends, Gloria Wilson, Thelma Ruffin, and Ruth Ann McMahon, all of Saginaw, MI and Sherry Bledsoe, Bay City, MI. Ruth had a host of bonus grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other dear friends. Ruth’s daughters would like to thank the Beaumont Corewell Hospice team. Especially, homecare Hospice nurses, Tonya and Jenine for their loving support. Family Hour will take place at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48601, with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Rev. Dr. Dennis Laffoon officiate. Entombment will take place in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 950 North Center Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48603. Visitation will take place on Friday at the funeral home from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Ruth Estelle Kemper

August 27, 1944 - July 16, 2024