October 2, 2008

OBITUARIES

Jordis Ruhl

Jordis Ruhl died Monday, Sept. 22, at Friends Care Center. She was 51.

She was born Dec. 7, 1956, a daughter of Ken and Peggy (Jamison) Langness in Moses Lake, Wash. Jordis is survived by her husband, Jerry Ruhl and their son, Oliver; mother-in-law Charlotte Ruhl; siblings David (Teresa) Langness, Paul (Rae) Langness, Cass (Whitney) Judd, and Richard Langness.

Growing up in Prescott, Ariz., Jordis initially worked as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines. She later returned to school and trained as a public relations specialist and writer. After managing her own firm for several years and working as a free-lance writer, she served as manager of corporate communication for Children’s Hospital in Denver. She and her husband of 17 years moved to Yellow Springs from Denver in 1998 so that Jordis could spend more time at home with Oliver. She later served as Executive Director of the Antioch Writers Workshop. She was employed as a writer by Children’s Hospital of Columbus and Children’s Hospital Seattle when diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006. Jordis was a loving wife, mother, and friend. A celebration of Jordis’ life was held Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Bahá’í Community Center of Yellow Springs.

Lawrence Abrams

Lawrence J. Abrams, Sr., died suddenly on Sept. 27 at Greene Memorial Hospital. He was 79.

Born March 12, 1929 in Boston, Ga., to the late Jordan and Allie Mae Brown Abrams, Abrams was the youngest of 13 children. Abrams grew up in rural south Georgia and was restless to explore what life had to offer. A young professor, Dr. Anderson, recognized his agricultural talents and encouraged him to reach for higher education. On faith, Abrams ran away from home to gain a bachelors degree in agricultural education from Fort Valley State College, later returning to his community to teach and work with farmers to improve their businesses. For over seven years he taught local high school students, earning Teacher of the Year awards from both state and county officials.

Abrams was recognized by the Erwin County Georgia Board of Agriculture for developing an innovative process to bulk cure sweet potatoes, an idea which ultimately led to the commercialization process used today. He worked tirelessly to teach African American farmers how to maximize revenues by diversifying through crop rotation. With a belief that communities drive progress, in 1964 he moved to a position as executive director of the Community Action Agency, where he spearheaded implementation of the first Headstart programs in Brevard County, Florida.

In 1969, armed with a masters degree from Tuskegee Institute, he migrated with his young family to Yellow Springs on a Ford Foundation Fellowship, where he studied college development at Antioch College for two years. He diverted from his plans to return to the south to remain in Ohio to help Wright State University develop a buildings and grounds plan for its expanding campus. Along the way, he used his gifts to hire and encourage many young people to remain in school, often allowing struggling students to bunk on an empty family couch.

Seeing expansion in the Wilberforce–Xenia area, Central State University tapped him on the shoulder to help beautify the tornado-stricken campus. Abrams worked at Central State for many years. In 1985 he decided to pursue several entrepreneurial opportunities (landscape design, aqua culture research, commercial grilling), never really settling down to retirement. Many of his waking hours were spent sharing his passion for the outdoors and the land with neighbors and grandchildren.

Shelbert Smith

L. Shelbert Smith of Yellow Springs passed away Sept. 29 in Springfield Regional Medical Center. He was 87. In honor of his request, there will be no service. A complete obituary notice will follow at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Porter-Qualls Funeral Home.

Since he “never met a stranger,” local residents enjoyed big bear hugs, free vegetables, beautiful flowers, and a well-stocked fishing pond, courtesy of his green thumb and open heart. The next generation of Abramses will continue to enjoy his passion for smoking meats, family gatherings, and spiritual worship. Many will miss the man known as “Uncle Brown, Abe, Daddy, Pappa, Grand Dad, Grandpa Lawrence and Larry”.

Survivors are his wife of 49–plus years, Josella Abrams; son, Lawrence Abrams Jr. and wife Jackie of Huntsville, Ala.; daughter, Andrea Abrams Turner and husband Stuart of Minneapolis, Minn.; son Martin Abrams and wife Amanda of Minneapolis, Minn.; and seven grandchildren.

The viewing will be held on Friday evening, Oct. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Central Chapel AME Church, 411 S. High St., Yellow Springs.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 34 W. Pleasant St., Springfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be accepted for the Lawrence Abrams Sr. Education Fund at US Bank, 266 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, OH 45387.