Ruel Lee Solomon

On December 25, 1933, Louis and Myrah McWilliams Solomon received a beautiful Christmas gift of Ruel Solomon. He was the youngest of three children: Omega Solomon Warden of Richmond, Virginia (deceased), and Alpha Solomon, Sr., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (deceased).

At the tender age of 10 years old, Ruel was orphaned. God saw fit for him to be lovingly raised by his special aunt, Mae McWilliams Cofield. Ruel then became the only son with three additional sisters: Dr. Willa Cofield, Plainfield, New Jersey; Sylvia Cofield Ellison, Virginia Beach, Virginia (deceased); Attorney Claudette V. Cofield Hardaway, Enfield, North Carolina, (deceased). 

Ruel joined the First Baptist Church of Enfield, North Carolina, in 1943. He served on various committees there throughout his lifetime. Ruel was honored with becoming a Deacon of First Baptist Church in the early years of 2000. Given his strong business and financial background, Deacon Solomon chaired the committee to build the newest addition at First Baptist Church. The new street where the church addition is located was to be named “The Solomon Way." 

With the advent of media streaming from all over the world, Ruel found a new church home with the United Church of Christ in Plainfield, New Jersey.  He enjoyed the online services and the messages very much and would talk about each Sunday message all week long.  He could not wait until the next Sunday service would start!

Ruel Solomon was a Korean War Veteran in the United States Army.  Ruel served as a Paratrooper with the Elite 82ndAirborne Division, and he completed 22 courageous jumps. He was also a part of America’s strategic reserve and rapid deployment force.

Educational pursuits reigned supreme in Ruel Solomon's life. He began his undergraduate studies at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, Virginia, and he completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and his master’s degree in Economics at North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University) in Durham, North Carolina. Ruel began his second master’s degree in Educational Administration at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, and he completed those studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

In 1960 the genesis of Ruel's career as a devoted educator began in Moore County, North Carolina, where he taught math, driver's education, and coached the men's basketball team at Berkeley High School. One of his sterling moments was coaching the Berkeley team to a state championship!  Ruel then served in the Halifax County school system, where he was a deeply admired and respected principal from 1979 until 2004. 

Ruel's professional adventures were not limited to educational endeavors. From 1967 until 1978, he was the manager and funeral director of Cofield Funeral Home in Enfield, North Carolina.  Among his other many professional accomplishments, he was a member of the Board of Trustees at Halifax Community College in Halifax, North Carolina, and a Million Dollar Donor and Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., having become a Kappa man in 1959 while attending North Carolina College. 

Ruel was a staunch advocate for social justice through his political activities in the community. He was a member of the Halifax County Coalition for Progress under the leadership of the late educational icon George T. Young. He continued to further his support of social and economic advancement for African Americans through his connection and association with Rev. Dr. C. E. McCollum.  He was very involved with getting housing assistance for many needed families in his community.  Ruel also worked many years as a First Responder for his local EMS.  The citizens of Halifax County greatly benefited from Ruel's dedication to these causes.

Ruel was also an exceptional entrepreneur, “The Buck Stops Here” deer hunter, faithful Carolina Panthers fan, a dedicated farmer, and a passionate baker – brownies and sugar cookies were his favorites! In fact, a memorable moment for his grands and great-grands was when he treated them to hand-crafted green sugar cookies for St. Patrick's Day. 

Ruel married his college sweetheart Lillie on July 30, 1960, in Durham, North Carolina. To this union was born one vivacious daughter, Karla Lynece Solomon.

Ruel Solomon gently and quietly departed this earthly realm at his home in Enfield, North Carolina, on July 8, 2020. He was preceded in death by his loving, faithful and adoring wife, Lillie J. Solomon. 

To forever cherish the unforgettable“Legacy and Life” of Ruel Solomon are his dedicated daughter, Dr. Karla L. Solomon, Knightdale, North Carolina; two well-accomplished, proud grandsons, TraéKarl M. Solomon, Lewiston, Maine; and his namesake, Ruel Solomon Jones, Charlotte, North Carolina; an adorable granddaughter, äRaja Zyraé Pittman, Knightdale, North Carolina;  four amazing great - grandchildren, Ajaé King Solomon, Knightdale, North Carolina; Lilliãnna, Karliyah, and BellaRosé Solomon, Lewiston, Maine; and one lovely sister, Dr. Willa Cofield, Plainfield, New Jersey.

Ruel also leaves memories of unconditional love with Lifetime Brothers, Melvin Mitchell (Laura) and Guion Davis (Ella), both of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; special lifetime family friend Delores “Jennie” Ward, Enfield, North Carolina; special family daughters Attorney Chrystal Redding, Garner, North Carolina, and Alicia L. Young, Raleigh, North Carolina; special family son, Barry L. Jones, Jarratt, Virginia; Goddaughters Mabel Graham, Aberdeen, North Carolina; Catherine L. Carter, (Kenneth) Hanover, Virginia; and Regina L. Hill, Raleigh, North Carolina; Godsons Dr. F. Vincent Allison, III, (Terrie), Durham, North Carolina; Rev. Dr. Stephen A. G. Howard, (Alicia) Mechanicsville, Virginia; and Kenneth A. Ward, Enfield, North Carolina; fifteen nieces, nine nephews, many very close relatives, and an infinite number of dear friends. 

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Legacy of Appreciation

“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

“Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your footprints have left on our hearts.” -Dorothy Ferguson

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, visits, calls, cards, flowers, emails, text messages, Facebook notes, cakes, delicious foods, and the fellowship of coming together through social distancing to share your special memories about my father.  I will never forget my father (my baby doll) and mother (my ace, my BFF) nor will I forget you and your acts of kindness shown to me and my family during this tragic time in our lives.  

We extend a special thank you to Dee and Rev. Eddie Wayne Lawrence, Rocky Mount, NC; Kimberley Robinson, Weldon, NC; Toni Brown, Louisburg, NC.; Cheryl Silver Emmanuel, Charlotte, NC; Earl Sledge, Enfield, NC; Glenn and Tiara Thomas, Raleigh, NC, Halifax Community College, Weldon, NC; The Lake Gaston Area Chapter of the Links, Inc.; The South Atlantic Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the unstoppable, charismatic, and debonair men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Alumni Chapter, Rocky Mount, NC. 

Daddy, No farewell words were spoken, no time to say good-bye. You were gone before I knew it and only God knows why. My heart still aches in sadness and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know.

I Love You Daddy!

The Ruel L. Solomon Family

A Celebration Honoring the Historical Legacy of Ruel “Lee” Solomon will be held at a later date in 2020.

Words of comfort and encouragement may be sent to:  

Dr. Karla L. Solomon 

Post Office Box 1125 

Knightdale, North Carolina 27545 

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