Hurst, Ruby Wright
Ruby Wright Hurst (1915-2016) taught piano and music theory at Lee College from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1954 to 1970.
During the economic depression of the 1930s, Hurst and her sister Jewel earned money by singing gospel duets in churches and revival meetings and teaching gospel music. She later enrolled in the James D. Vaughn Conservatory of Music at Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, where she met Grady Hurst. They married and moved to Chattanooga, where they performed with the “Word of God Quartet” at the North Chattanooga Church of God.
Ruby Hurst was recruited to work at Lee College by President E.L. Simmons. One Sunday after church service, the Hursts were sitting on the front porch of their home in Chattanooga when President Simmons arrived at their house and asked Ruby if she would teach at Lee. She taught at Lee for more than 20 years, earning formal degrees while teaching. Hurst earned the B.A. from University of Chattanooga and the M.M. [Master of Music] from Illinois Wesleyan University.
After retiring from Lee, she taught private piano lessons for many years. She also co-wrote a song with Charlie Wright that is included in the Church Hymnal (better known as the "Red Back Hymnal") on page 163, "Jesus I'm Coming Some Day."
/ L.F. Morgan
During the economic depression of the 1930s, Hurst and her sister Jewel earned money by singing gospel duets in churches and revival meetings and teaching gospel music. She later enrolled in the James D. Vaughn Conservatory of Music at Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, where she met Grady Hurst. They married and moved to Chattanooga, where they performed with the “Word of God Quartet” at the North Chattanooga Church of God.
Ruby Hurst was recruited to work at Lee College by President E.L. Simmons. One Sunday after church service, the Hursts were sitting on the front porch of their home in Chattanooga when President Simmons arrived at their house and asked Ruby if she would teach at Lee. She taught at Lee for more than 20 years, earning formal degrees while teaching. Hurst earned the B.A. from University of Chattanooga and the M.M. [Master of Music] from Illinois Wesleyan University.
After retiring from Lee, she taught private piano lessons for many years. She also co-wrote a song with Charlie Wright that is included in the Church Hymnal (better known as the "Red Back Hymnal") on page 163, "Jesus I'm Coming Some Day."
/ L.F. Morgan