Mary Ruth Milligans

A TIME TO BE BORN AND A TIME TO DIE

Mary Ruth Chase Milligans was born on August 18,1950 to Madeline White and the late Maurice Chase in Prince Frederick, Maryland. She departed this life on October 12, 2024, in Fresh Meadows, NY at the age of 74.

A TIME TO PLANT

Mary lived in Maryland until her mother left the land of seafood for the bright lights of New York City. It was there that she was educated by the New York City Public School System and became an educator herself. She was employed by Jamaica Day Nursery for years teaching and rearing children. Children became her passion which is why she is known as Godmother to dozens.

Mary began her walk with Christ as a teenager at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Jamaica, NY. She accepted God’s call on her life and was a baptized believer. During her ministry, God directed her to go to the little church around the corner. There, she joined Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Solomon Roberts. Mary took a leap of faith and began walking the streets of South Jamaica to bring children to Christ. One could always find her walking with 20-30 children going to Sunday School, Children’s Choir rehearsal, Jr. Usher board meetings and Friday Night Youth Services. Without her leadership and guidance, many of them would have not known Christ.

A TIME TO LOVE

On December 10,1979, Mary married her best friend, Lawrence Milligans, from this union, they created their beloved daughter, Naisa.

Mary was a very loving and social person. She was always the life of the party and created friendships wherever she went. She was affectionately known as Mary Chase, Ruthie, Booty or Mill by those closest to her.

A TIME TO WEEP

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, her younger brother Ralph Gross and a host of other family and friends including her best friend Shirley Cotton-White.

A TIME TO MOURN

Left to cherish her memories is her mother, Madeline White of Queens, NY, her daughter, Naisa Milligans and grandson, Kendrick Thompson of Queens, NY, her nephew, Miles-Kevin Gross of Queens, NY, her great niece Deavian Melendez of Queens, NY, her aunts, Sarah Brooks of Queens, NY, Martha White of Annapolis, MD and Annie Chase of Lusby, Maryland, her bonus daughter, Tasha Williams of Mount Pleasant, NC, God children, Charesse White , of Queens, NY, Gamarr Tolliver of Saint Augustine, Florida, Michael Winfield, Melita Davis, Aalita Pinkney, Nitaye’ Riley, and Talita Pinkney all of Queens, NY, Josiah Williams of Mount Pleasant, NC, beloved cousin Robert Chase of Queens, NY, and a host of honorary godchildren, relatives and friends.

Mary was a pillar in her community and in her family and will be missed tremendously.