FACE COVERINGS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO ENTER THE FUNERAL HOME

Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Temple of Truth, Light and Life, 2166 Kent Street.  Burial will follow in Calvary Memorial Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, from 5:30-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Ruby Ivey Darkish was born Ruby Anita Ivey to the late Sherman Oscar and Odessa Toliver Ivey in Wilmington, North Carolina on April 20, 1947, and peacefully departed this life on January 17, 2024, at Novant (New Hanover Regional Medical Center).  She was the oldest of our children.  Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman Oscar Ivey, and Odessa Toliver Ivey; sister, Gloria Ivey, brothers, Lewis Ivey, and Justin Ivey; her loving companion, Kenith Mitchell; daughter, Tawana Anita Seymore; and son, Sherman Carlton Darkoh.  Ruby attended New Hanover County schools and graduated from Williston High School in 1965.  After graduation, Ruby moved to Jamaica, Queens, New York for a short period of time and eventually moving back to Wilmington, NC to be closer to family and staff her career.  Ruby later met and married Joseph Adu Darkoh.  A passion and natural ability for cooking —VERY WELL, led Ruby to a wonderful and rewarding career in the hospitality space, specifically the restaurant and catering sector that spanned over forty (40) years in the industry.  Her journey began at Shoney's Restaurant where she worked for a few years, then successfully moved on to Wilmington's iconic Tuesday' s restaurant (later renamed Annabelle's) until the late 80's.  Afterwards, Ruby would briefly co-own and operate Oops Burgers within the Independence Mall.  Over the next few decades, Ruby would spend the rest of her working career working in management until reaching retirement, alongside the wonderful Ezzell family (Sheri Ezzell and Billy Eason, the late Clarence Norwood Ezzell, "Junior" and the late Martha Oliver Ezzell) at one of Wilmington's staples family-owned restaurants, Ezzell's (and Valinos).  In the midst of her journey with Ezzell's, Ruby and Martha ventured in partnership to own and operate Wilmington Catering for a short stint.  Over her long tenure, Ruby met and worked with a diverse group of individuals who she considered lifelong friends and family.  "Miss Ruby" as many affectionately called her, impacted a lot of lives through comfort food, skilled training, great conversations, managing tight but fun kitchens, making customer connections, enjoying life, and making lasting memories to be cherished for a lifetime.  Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  We miss Mom tremendously.  Our families are truly blessed to have had a loving, caring, generous, honest, prayerful, hardworking, and giving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, friend, mentor, and confidant in Ruby Ivey Darkoh.  Ruby Ivey Darkoh leaves to cherish her memories, her children, Stephanie Seymore Bullock (Roy); Joseph Kojo Darkoh, and Ruby Adwoa Darkoh; grandchildren, Darrell, Jr. (Gina), Damian (Shanelle), Alicia (Jermaine), Travis, Tyrique, Samiyah, Darius, and Veronica; great grandchildren, Ka'leigh, Damian Jr., Dallas, Dior, Dylan, Gabby, Bentley, Travis, Jr., Tyson, Sophia, Isabella, Jesse, Natalie, Deliliah, and Isiah; Bonus brother and sister, Albert and Danita Gaines, the Walker Family, Emily Dashiell and Family, special cousin, Pauline McClain, and a host of "bonus" children, other relatives, and many very, very special friends.