Faith in action

Sitting on a couch in her South Richmond home, Ruby Turner exudes strength. It is deeply rooted in her faith, and she often sprinkles her conversations with Scripture.

The petite great-grandmother of five won't disclose her age -- "my mother always told us that a woman who would tell her age would tell anything," she explained -- but she gives no impression of frailty.

Turner's stamina is an asset in her role as a community activist and, more importantly, in her quest to end violence.

Although she hasn't lost anyone close to her because of a shooting, she nevertheless felt compelled to start Citizens of Greater Richmond Against Gun Violence six years ago.

"What troubles us is, if a person in the community, the city, the state is killed violently, that should say something to us as to how, we as individuals, can come together to reduce gun violence," Turner said.

Being community-minded was something Turner's parents instilled in her at a young age. She credits God for helping her fulfill her duty as a citizen.

"If we aren't doing something worthwhile, we're killing time, wasting time on God's green Earth," she said. "When we don't seek to improve, we are among those that degrade."

Her activism has made her a familiar face with local, state and federal law-enforcement officers, with whom she works through her nonprofit group and whose promotion and graduation ceremonies she attends.

"Her energy level brings out the best in everybody," said Richmond police Maj. John Keohane. "I love her to death; she's such a great human being."

Keohane recalled a National Night Out event in the sweltering heat where Turner spread her anti-drug and anti-violence message with teenagers.

"The thing about Ruby is her energy, she's nonstop. She's very, very persistent," said Brian Swann, resident agent in charge of the Richmond office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

When her organization celebrated its sixth anniversary recently, nearly 50 law-enforcement officers attended, said Swann, a member of the group's board of directors.

Turner worked as a nurse for 25 years at Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and at local prisons, helping inmates and sharing her faith.

When her husband, Charles, died 34 years ago, she was left with three teenage children. She worked 18and 19-hour shifts at the hospital but still was struggling to make the payments on her house.

She was on the verge of having her home foreclosed on but was able to make the payments and eventually paid off her mortgage. She points to God for keeping her in the house that she has lived in for the past 37 years.

Turner has remained active since retiring in 1995, driving her Ford Focus around town to serve as secretary of the Richmond Democratic Committee and the Southern Virginia chapter of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a member of the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond and a member of the Chesterfield TRIAD, which teams law enforcement with senior citizens organizations to reduce crime among the elderly.

One of her greatest joys remains her work with the nonprofit organization she founded. The group is funded through grants and yearly dues.

Turner said the organization is invited to neighborhoods, churches, clubs and schools. Typically, a representative from each of the law-enforcement agencies that supports her group attends the meetings. Turner also lines up speakers.

A key to continuing the trend of lowering crime and homicides in the region is getting more community involvement, Swann said.

"If we do that, Ruby Turner will be a big part of that," he said. "She's a great lady. If we could duplicate her, it would be a tremendous asset to the city of Richmond."

Turner is also a regular at Public Squares held by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, almost always sitting in the front row, taking in and adding to the discussion.

"She's a very intuitive listener. She's eager to learn what is happening to her community and in her community," said Thomas A. Silvestri, president and publisher of The Times-Dispatch. "When she speaks, she's eloquent. People listen."
Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6115 or .