Ruby Jean Royal, 79, went home to be with God on Friday morning, October 19, 2018. She was born July 31, 1939, in Morven, NC to the late Massey Junior Smith and Lizzie Myers Smith Chambers.  She confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at age twelve and joined the Galilee AME Zion Church where she remained a faithful member in service until she moved to Winston-Salem in 1959.  She united with the Zion Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in 1960 where she served God faithfully until declining health caused her to cease her work at the church, but, not in her heart.

In 1958, she united in marriage to the late Hardy Royal, Jr. and this union was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Meteza Royal Owens.

Ruby attended WSSU and was employed by the WSFC School system where she retired.  The joy of her life was working with children!

Ruby is survived by her daughter, Meteza Royal Owens (Andre) of Charlotte, NC; two grandsons, Langston Milloy Royal Owens and Chancellor Izaiah Royal Owens; two sisters, Blenda Neal (James) of Fayetteville, NC and Betty Woodburn (Zadek) of Morven, NC; one brother, Arthur Chambers of Conyers, GA; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many other relatives and special friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00noon Friday, October 26, 2018 at Zion Memorial Baptist Church with Reverend Randell Cain officiating and Rev. Dr. Joseph Jones eulogist.  Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Friday at the Church.