Ruby Ottimo

WILSON - Ruby Keen Ottimo, 88, died Friday, January 25, 2013.

Funeral, Monday, 11 AM, Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Drive, followed by a time of visiting and sharing.

She was born in Wilson County to the late Leonard and Brina Keen and was only four when her mother died. She was adopted by her Aunt Tina Deans (Roma) who were wonderful parents. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Ottimo, whom she had married on January 31, 1943.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicky O. Collie (Richard) and grandson, David Randolph Batten all of Wilson; niece, Tina Little Burnett (Kenny); and brother-in-law, Francis Little.

Ruby graduated from Lucama High School and attended ECTC (ECU). While in college she met Vince, a young Marine, who was in training at Camp Lejeune. Soon after their wedding, he was transferred to San Diego, CA, where he trained at Camp Pendleton. She worked for Douglas Aircraft during that time. They then moved to Schenectady, NY, where she took a job with General Electric Company checking transmitters to be used on ships during World War II. GE sent her to Union College, Schenectady, for three hours daily while she worked at GE for five years. She received an Amateur Radio Operator license and a Restricted Radio Telephone Operator permit.

After the war ended, she knew she would no longer be employed with GE so she pursued beauty school since they were paying teachers only $90 monthly in North Carolina. The couple returned to Lucama where she opened a beauty shop and began her junior year of college at Atlantic Christian College. She graduated magna cum laude with a double major in business education and biology. She taught in the Johnston County school system at Pine Level, Glendale, and retired from North Johnston High School, Kenly, in 1986. She received her Master's Degree in business education and marketing from ECU while teaching at North Johnston.

In the early 50s, the couple began buying rental properties in the Wilson historic areas. After her retirement, they continued to manage these properties. While living in Lucama, she was a member of Little Rock FWB Church where she taught the Adult Sunday School Class. They moved to Wilson in 1980.

Memorials are suggested to the Preservation of Wilson Society, PO Box 2741, Wilson, NC 27894.