Ruth B. Ware was a licensed practical nurse with the Veterans Administration until she retired in 1972 because of an injury.

Mrs. Ware died Friday at University Hospitals. She was 78.

She was born in Union Springs, Ala. She lived in Chicago briefly, then moved with her parents to Cleveland, where she attended school.

Mrs. Ware worked in an aircraft plant making bombers during World War II. She lived as a single parent in the Outhwaite public housing project while her two sons were small. She developed a sense of independence from her work and circumstances long before women’s liberation became a popular cause. She worked with other young mothers in the projects to better their living conditions.

She was also a singer who participated in a chorus sponsored by the Cleveland school board. She sang solos at Severance Hall with the group.

She was married to Edgar Ware for the past 30 years. They made their home in Cleveland.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Ware is survived by sons, James T. Ervin III of Elyria and Wayne M. Ervin of Romulus, Mich.; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild; and four sisters.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at the House of Wills Funeral Home, 14711 Harvard Ave., Cleveland.

Source:  Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) – Wednesday, January 22, 1997