Jettie Ruth Fletcher, devoted wife of the late Johnnie Fletcher, was born in the town of Notasulga located in Macon County, Alabama on November 2, 1927, to the union of the late Sarah Lou Simpson Mahone and Freddie D. Mahone, Sr.

Ruth, her preferred name, attended the historically registered Shiloh Rosenwald Elementary School and was baptized in the Shiloh Baptist Church in Alabama. Following her graduation from Tuskegee Institute High School she moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1947 as part of the Great Migration for better opportunities. She joined the Second Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Cleveland as a lifelong member while maintaining her fellowship with Shiloh.

In Cleveland, she met Johnnie Fletcher and on March 15, 1952 she and Johnnie along with his cousin, James Farley, Sr. and Sylvia (Stacks) Farley were joined in holy matrimony in Angola, Indiana. To this union, Ruth and Johnnie had three children: Wayne Fletcher, Phyllis Fletcher and Darinka (Fletcher) Hardy and when her youngest sister, Barbara Jean Mahone arrived in Cleveland, Ruth welcomed her into her household as a daughter.

Ruth was also the guardian of her nephew, Robert Farley, Jr. for numerous years. She was a generous person that nurtured, consoled, encouraged and supported everyone she came into contact with.

Ruth had a fierce spirit and possessed an abundance of loving attributes. With a mere glance at someone, she would create a story that surpassed anyone’s imagination and there were no strangers, everyone was or became her friend. Age, race, gender, stature in society, Ruth was going to strike up a conversation and with her infectious smile and strong personality,
Ruth always had your best interest at heart.

Ruth was the quintessential organizer, she could orchestrate all task and instruct everyone on what they should do without
ever moving from her seat, while drinking her “hot” coffee.

Travel was a passion for her. Life was an adventure and she was the first to say: “Pack your bags. What you see you will never forget, let’s go!” Ruth also emphasized that education was the key to success, she understood and encouraged all by never missing a graduation or bragging about her immediate and extended family.

Ruth was a patron of the Arts attending performances at Karamu, Blossom Music Center, The Cleveland Orchestra and New York’s Broadway. A passionate sports fan, Ruth followed the achievements of the Cleveland Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers and The Ohio State University Buckeye Football Team, scrapbooking, newspaper clippings, sport memorabilia and World
Series tickets were all treasured. Ruth was always cheering for her team and if you wanted an autograph, you just had to ask; pulling you in tow, she would not hesitate to walk up to the “MVP” athlete to obtain their signature.

Ruth was also enamored by the ocean, she enjoyed cruising the open seas as well as getting her feet wet, watching the waves roar onto the shore and picking sea shells. She was a great cook who loved to share her recipes. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren: Amira and Matthew.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Sarah Lou and Freddie Mahone, Sr., her husband, Johnnie Fletcher, her brother’s Freddie Mahone Jr., Joseph Mahone and sister Elaine Mahone Hardman. She leaves to cherish her loving memory three children: Wayne, Phyllis (Glenn Davis), Darinka (Lee Hardy), two grandchildren: Amira and Matthew Hardy, extended family Robert Farley Jr., one brother, Thomas Mahone and five sisters: Mary Evans, Ellen Parker, Elsie Davis, Evelyn Baxter and Barbara Mahone. A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins and many, many friends.

Many of us have great stories about this wonderful, outgoing, outspoken women. Let us use this time of grieving to laugh, listen, share and celebrate all of who she was during her fabulous 93 years. We will miss her affectionately, often and greatly.