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Ruby Gamble, an inspiration behind her famous son, dies at 96

WHO WAS THAT sweet lady passing out the Watchtower at 30th Street Station? And who would dare not take a copy from so earnest and charming a devotee of the faith?

WHO WAS THAT sweet lady passing out the Watchtower at 30th Street Station?

And who would dare not take a copy from so earnest and charming a devotee of the faith?

It was a devotion to the Jehovah's Witnesses that on many days led Ruby Gamble to hike from Stenton Avenue to City Hall with other witnesses, buttonholing passers-by and delivering their message of hope.

Then she'd track down possible converts at the train station and other venues that might offer up interested people - or at least the curious.

Ruby Gamble, a daughter of the Deep South who came to Philadelphia in 1937 to find work and retired in 1977 as a laboratory technician for the city Department of Health, died March 10 at her home in Mount Airy. She was 96.

Ruby was the inspiration behind her famous son, Kenneth Gamble, who with Leon A. Huff created the iconic "Philadelphia sound" of soul music.

In fact, Ruby was said to have been the inspiration for the Intruders' hit song "I'll Always Love My Mama."

"Our mother was extremely special," Kenny Gamble said. "She was the kindest person in our lives. More importantly, she was the inspiration for everything I have done in life, including creating the wonderful music that others have enjoyed around the world.

"As the matriarch of the family, she was a spiritual person who devoted her life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her kindness and peacefulness will never be forgotten."

Ruby was born in Ozark, Ala., where she got her early education and graduated from high school in 1932. After her sisters moved to Philadelphia, Ruby made the move herself. She worked as a domestic for a time, then in a factory operating a power machine, and finally landed the job with the city Health Department.

After she became involved with the Jehovah's Witnesses, Ruby's devotion was rewarded when she was made a full-time minister - known as a pioneer - in 1984.

Besides her sons, she is survived by another son, Carl; two siblings, and 19 grandchilden.

Services: Memorial service at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses, 6826 Ardleigh St.