Ruby Mae (Nichols) Pinder

“Stern and Steadfast”

 Our esteemed Mother, Ruby Pinder, departed this life on Thursday, March 6, 2025, that she has been building over 70 years. The Lord allowed her to be a soldier in His army on this earth for 92 years.

 Mother Pinder was born to the late John Wesley and Mary Nichols on February 21, 1933 in Hurlock, Maryland.

She received her education in the public schools in Dorchester County and eventually transitioned into the work world as a teenager. These jobs took her from the fields to the tomato factories and later working in many sewing factories, such as Rob Roy’s, Perfect Garment, and Ruddy Duck. She retired from Chesapeake Center in Easton, MD.

Mother Pinder met and married Carl Pinder, Jr.  and became a widow after being his devoted wife for 38 years.

Her passions lead to cooking, sewing and gardening. She also loved doing crossword puzzles, singing, watching her soaps, and traveling. She could cook whatever you put in front of her, but she was well known for her greens. Her sewing ability was extraordinary. She was called upon to make wedding dresses, suits, skirts and do alterations.

Mother Pinder deeply loved all of her family, friends, and the body of Christ. She was a great mentor inside and outside the church and never minced her words or ask questions.

Over the years, Mother Ruby was a faith -filled believer of God. She was one of the mothers of Greater Mt. Zion Pentecostal Holiness Church. She served as the President of the Usher Board and Senior Choir; was a member of the Missionary Board and Body and Soul Community Outreach Committee. 

Mother Pinder is survived by her daughter Pauline (James); One grandson James, Jr. (Elaine); two great-granddaughters, Tenise Pinkett and Lawanda Atkinson (Shante); and one great-great granddaughter, Eriana Henderson.

She leaves three special friends, Sister Marie Chester, Sister Mary (Pixie) Brooks and Sister Wanda Pinkett; Goddaughter Francella Watkins and a bonus son Brother Curtiss Bell. Let’s not forget, her nephew Leman Pinder, who truly helped her a lot. He took “Miss Daisy” (from “Driving Miss Daisy”) wherever she wanted to go.

Mother Ruby leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and the family of Greater Mt. Zion.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, six brothers, Louis, Harvey, James, Raymond, Orville and Ira Nichols and two sisters, Myrtle Pinder, and Lena Nichols.

Mother Ruby is the last of 9 siblings and Mother of Greater Mt. Zion Pentecostal Holiness Church.

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