Ruth Woodruff Hines was born October 21, 1893, in Champaign,
Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Mary E. Woodruff. She
had 1 sister, Caroline and 1 brother, Arthur. She attended elementary,
junior high and high school in Champaign, Illinois and attended
the University of Illinois.
She was married to Ray E. Hines on November 2, 1920 in Champaign,
Illinois, and to this union was born 9 children, 4 boys and 5
girls.
Mrs. Hines opened her doors to house the Negro (African American)
students who enrolled in the University of Illinois in the early
1920s. It filled an urgent need for the students as there was
no place for them to live on or near Campus. This legacy continued
on for many years. She and Mr. Hines also served as Patron and
Patroness for many social affairs given by and for the students.
She was a lifetime member of Bethel A.M.E. Church - singing in
the Senior Choir and as a member of the Willing Workers Club.
She was a member of: the Robert Earnest American Legion Post #559
serving as past president; the University of Illinois Alumni Association;
the Champaign-Urbana Senior Citizen's Organization; Deborah Chapter
#27, Order of Eastern Star; and Parents Council of Sharps and
Flats Music Club, an affiliate of the National Association of
Negro Musicians and the Park Street Block Club. She was a Charter
Member of the Champaign County Section of the N.C.N.W.
She died in September of 1982 in Champaign, Illinois.
Ruth
Woodruff Hines