Obituary of Ruby Streaty

Over 99 Years ago, Ruby Lanton Lewis Streaty was born to Harriet Taborn Lanton and Rufus Lanton in Carrier Mills in Sothern Illinois in one of the oldest African-American Communities in the country, the Lakeview community. At an early age she belonged to the Church of God. Later in life she became nondenominational. She graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in Harrisburg, Illinois; attended Cleveland Nursing School in Cleveland, Ohio. Because she married, she was kicked out of the nursing school in Cleveland. She completed studies at Sothern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Her mission in life was to aid in healing the sick. She married Dr. James H. Lewis, physician and surgeon, spending over 40 years assisting him as his nurse. After the death of Dr. Lewis, she retired as a registered phlebotomist from the VA and Westlake Hospitals in Maywood, Illinois after 20 years of service. She was recognized as one of the researchers involved in calibration of machines for analysis of blood; this process continues to be in use. She loved to talk, read literature of a spiritual nature. She loved to discuss Stephen Hawkins’s work about quantum physics. She wrote stories for children in the family. The highlight of her travels was visiting her brother, and educator and artist, Dr. Wendell Lanton in Spain. She moved to Ohio in 1983. She volunteered at Maple Knoll Senior Center, Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Area American Red Cross. She was preceded in death by Daughter, Monzelle; Granddaughters Ruby Y. Mays and MarJean Mays; Brothers and Sisters, Wayman, Russell, Wendell, LaVanda, Beulah, Christine and Leo. She is survived by daughter, Jeanne Lewis Mays; granddaughter, Sheri Lemme; grandson, Geoffrey Lemme; nieces and nephews and great grandchildren; Charles (Harriet) Streaty Jr., Step-son; and Brother-in-law, John P. Morgan