Ruth Yancy

Ruth Yancy, 93, passed away on May 26, 2025, in her home in North Philadelphia. Ruth was born on February 27, 1932, in Edwight, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Matthew Yancy and Lillian (Brooks) Yancy and the sister of Matthew Yancy, Jr., Frederick Yancy, Clarence Yancy, Henderson Brooks “Biddy” Yancy, and Charles Yancy. 

Ruth was a seamstress at Alfred Angelo for many years and a dedicated member of Beloved Saint John Baptist Church, where she loved to sing in the church choir. Ruth had a deep and steadfast love of Jesus and could be heard daily saying/singing, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us give thanks and be glad in it.” She strongly believed that “absence from the body is presence with the Lord.” Ruth was a strong, caring, and loving Christian mother who instilled courage, wisdom, and love in her children and their children (and their children). 

She loved to sing around the house, had a passion for drawing, and thoroughly enjoyed decorating her home (especially for Christmas and Easter) and working in her yard. She loved spending time with family and close friends and often shared her sense of wonder and awe of the world around her. Ruth loved to sit on the porch and wave and greet people passing by with words of encouragement. Everyone who knew her, loved her. Ruth was proud to have been named the queen of Elliott High School, and she carried that grace and beauty to all aspects of her life. She touched the lives of so many people she encountered, and everybody said what a beautiful smile she had. 

She is survived by her children, Artrice McGill (Carson) and George Yancy (Susan), 10 grandchildren Trae, Shemika (Alonzo), Michael, George, Shavon (Joel), Adrian (Ginny), Gabriel, Elijah, Joshua and Samuel, and 13 great grandchildren Dana, Chanel, Cory, Sean, Jason, Phoenix, Kaleena, Maloni, Malaynah, Michael Jr., Joel Jr., Carter and Calvin. 

Her memorial will be held on Friday May 30 from 4:00-6:00pm at Compagnola Funeral Home, 4405 N 5th St., Philadelphia, PA.