Ruby Muhammad

Ruby Macie Muhammad, formerly Grier (March 20, 1907[1] – March 2, 2011[2]) was an African American religious figure and centenarian known as the "Mother of the Nation of Islam." She was born on a farm in Sandersville, Georgia and grew up in Americus. No birth certificate exists to confirm her age, and it has been reported with significant disparity, although she claimed in newspaper interviews that she was born Ruby Macie Grayer on March 20, 1897.[3] Recent research, however, suggests she was born in 1907, a decade later, based on the listing of Ruby Macie Grier, recorded as aged 3, in the 1910 census.[1]

Ruby Muhammad
Born
Ruby Macie Grier

(1907-03-20)March 20, 1907
Sandersville, Georgia, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 2011(2011-03-02) (aged 103)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Other namesRuby Pittman
Known forMother of the Nation of Islam
(1986–2011)
RelativesPaulette Helton (Ahminah Muhammad) (eldest daughter)
Patricia Muhammad (daughter)
Johnny Pittman (son)
Grand-daughter- Gitona Muhammad
Great Grand-Daughter- Najmah Muhammad

Her mother, born in 1889, died when she was very young, and she was raised by a woman she called her aunt, although she would later say that this woman was probably not her biological aunt. She did not know her father until she was a teenager.[4] Community records in Sandersville, where she was born, indicate her father died at age 107 and her great-grandfather died at age 110.[3]

Mother of Islam

Muhammad spent her early years working in the fields and joined the Nation of Islam in 1946 and was named "Mother of the Nation of Islam" in 1986 by Minister Louis Farrakhan.[4] This is an honorary title; Muhammad, who was married twice, was not the widow of Elijah Muhammad, who founded the Nation of Islam.

In 2006, Muhammad moved into a senior center in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, California.[4] In 2008, Muhammad, then known as Ruby Pittman (the name of her first husband), received a motorized wheelchair as a donation from a scooter store.[5][6]

Personal life

Ruby Muhammad was married to John Pittman and had four children. After her first husband died she married James Hyder in 1967.

References
  1. Prista Lucas, Filipe (2009). "Ruby Muhammed Claims She is 112 Years in Sacramento, CA". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
  2. "Spiritual Leader Ruby Muhammad 1907-2011".
  3. "Seniors - Number of centenarians expected to double every decade". Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  4. Saini, Sonia K. (2006-07-13). "The life of a matriarch". Sacramento News. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  5. "Disabled Sacramento Woman, 110, Receives Power Wheelchair Donation from The SCOOTER Store". Medical News. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
  6. Barrow, Genoa (2008-02-05). "Mother Muhammad Goes Mobile". Sacramento Observer. Retrieved 2008-05-25.


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