LEWISTON – Ruth E. Black, 84, a longtime resident of Fayette, died Monday evening, May 3, at Central Maine Medical Center where she had been a patient for four days following a fall at her home.

She was born in East Livermore on Nov. 19, 1919, the daughter of George and Lena Young Diamond. She was a 1938 graduate of Livermore Falls High School.

On Dec. 30, 1939, she married Benjamin W. Black in Wayne. They made their home and raised their family on the farm in Fayette. Ben passed away on Nov. 26, 1995. She worked at Kents Hill School in the cafeteria and as a stitcher at Livermore Shoe Co. for 15 years in Livermore Falls. She also worked at the local bean factory in Livermore Falls and as a housekeeper, but most of her life was spent being a farm wife.

She was a member of the Fayette Baptist Church in Fayette. She looked forward to gatherings and cookouts with family and friends and also enjoyed flowers, traveling, sewing, gardening, canning and life. She is survived by three sons and their wives, Edward and Juanita Black of North Jay, Ralph and Tess Black of Fayette and Robert and Wanda Black also of Fayette; two sisters, Lena Sayer of Arizona, Grace Jacques and her husband Laurent of Livermore; six grandchildren, Diana Starbird and her husband David of Farmington, Jayme Black of Livermore Falls, Sgt. Robert Black Jr. and his wife Amy of Alaska, Ralph Black, Jr. of Livermore Falls, Wendy and Matt Pray of Fayette, and Quincy Black, USAF and his wife Stephanie stationed in Italy; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband of 54 years; a daughter, Maj. Gloria Black, USAF Ret.; a brother, George Diamond Jr. and his wife Mary; and two grandsons, Ronnie and Jimmy Black.