Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10).
At his mother's memorial service, David Jeremiah referred to Proverbs 31, and to his mother as "Mrs. Far Above Rubies." It was most appropriate, for Ruby Jeremiah was a virtuous woman of great worth.
The Jeremiahs came to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dayton in 1950. Our new pastor and his wife provided the caring, spiritual leadership we needed. Mrs. Jeremiah's love for her Lord was very evident to her class of senior high girls. Her sound teaching challenged them to live for God. She was a godly example to them--a wife and mother totally committed to husband and children.
The youth group appreciated her gracious hospitality. We enjoyed the fun-filled times and the serious Bible studies held in the parsonage. Several of us went off to Baptist Bible Seminary. We were encouraged to know our pastor and his wife were praying for us.
Then the Jeremiahs took on a new challenge--Cedarville College. The school was small and struggling. Some doubted it would survive. When I joined the faculty, I saw Mrs. Jeremiah doing what she could to help the college survive and grow.
Someone to run the post office? She could do that. Someone to run the print shop? She could do that. Someone to plan a fall faculty-staff dinner? She could prepare the dinner and serve it in the Jeremiahs' garage. Someone to give student wives the opportunity to learn and grow together? She could start a student wives' fellowship. Someone to work and to lead in the Women's Auxiliary? She could work with others to provide lounge furniture and mattress pads for the dorms, curtains for the stage and an organ for the chapel.
And through it all, Mrs. Jeremiah was a joyful servant of the Savior, delighting to do His will. She never sought praise or recognition, but quietly behind the scenes showed warmth, compassion, genuineness, humor, diligence, consistency, and faithfulness in prayer.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her" (Proverbs 31:28). And so do those who were privileged to know Ruby Jeremiah.