Hidden Gem: friendships blossom between students and campus cashier

By John Klyce
Decked out in a Tiger blue polo shirt, Ruby Boatley stood behind the Tiger
Den register as a University of Memphis football player approached her.
How are you today Mr. Johnson? she asked.
Im doing good, Ms. Ruby. How are you? He replied.
Fine, she said with a smile. Ive heard good things about the team this
year.
He laughed as she swiped his card. Its an unusual rapport, cashier and
student. But its one Boatley has developed with many.
I love my students, she said. If you show love, you receive love.
Ask Tiger Den customers and youll find her sentiments have not just been
received but reciprocated, too.
Ms. Ruby is super awesome, said Jessica Harrison, a U of M sophomore
engineering major.
Lawrence Parawan, a junior political science major, added: She radiates her
love to students every morning.
Two ROTC officers walked to Boatleys register to check out. Dressed in full
uniform, they know Boatley, 70, as the kind-hearted woman who rings up their
lunch. What they dont know is that Boatley once wore a similar uniform. While
many students make daily small talk with her, most dont know this or where she
learned her kindness.
Born on June 28th, 1945 in Memphis, Boatley came as a surprise to her
parents, Julia and Jim.
They had been married for 10 years, she said. They didnt think they were
going to have any children, then up popped me.
Four years later, Boatley had a baby brother.
I was so proud of him, she said laughing. I used to charge kids a nickel. I said if
you want to play with him youve gotta give me a nickel.
Though she enjoyed her childhood, Boatley did experience racism while
growing up. She remembers one instance vividly.
It was 1964 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Had had just won the Nobel Peace
Prize. Boatley was riding the bus, leaving the Memphis fairgrounds when someone
mentioned Kings award. The bus dirver jeered, stared at Ms. Ruby, and said Yeah,
but hes still a n*****.

I didnt feel good about it at all, Boatley said. No matter how well someone
had done on the world stage, they were still considered a n***** by someone in my
hometown.
Having graduated from high school in 1963, she continued her studies at the
University of Memphis.
It was different [then] she said. There were [really] no black professors or
athletes.
After she graduated from college, President Lyndon B. Johnson commissioned
Boatley to join the Air Force.
That meant a lot to me, she said. President Kennedy was my hero, and he
had said, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country. This gave me an opportunity to do service for my country.
Boatley spent the next 11 years in the Air Force. She went to Vietnam twice a
s a supply officer.
I had friends who were fighter pilots, she said. Some were shot down.
After her time in the Air Force she worked as a logistics manager for Procter
and Gamble. In 1981, she met the love of her life, William, and they were married in
1983.
He was tall, dark, and handsome, Boatley reminisced. He was just a whole
lot of fun.
Williams passed away in 2006.
When he died I decided I wasnt going to work anymore, Boatley said.
After a few years, Boatley took a part time job in 2009 as a Tiger Den cashier.
Though she is retired, Boatley continues to work at the University because she loves
the students who pass through the Tiger Den every day.
As the ROTC officers left her register, they turned back to Boatley.
You have a good day now, Ms. Ruby, one said.
You too, gentlemen, she said. Stay strong.