Bishop Ruben Joseph Sledge was born in Fairhope, Alabama, on January 13, 1942, to Arthur Lee and Fannie Mae Sledge. He departed this earthly life on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Ruben grew up in Baldwin County and graduated from Fairhope High School, where he played football. He graduated in the class of 1961. After graduation, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He worked at Union Pacific Railroad as a train porter. From there, he took a position at Ames Bowling Alley, also as a Porter. There he met a man who changed the trajectory of his life forever and offered him an opportunity for an apprenticeship as a Meat Cutter in 1963. Ruben worked as a Meat Cutter at Baker's, Carefree Meats, Lyke's Bros., Kash n Karry, and Winn-Dixie. He retired in 2012. Throughout his life, Ruben enjoyed sports, cooking, and spending time with his family. 

In 1963, Ruben met Beverly at a mutual friend's wedding. Soon afterwards, they had their first date at a James Brown & Jackie Wilson concert. The young couple entwined their lives together on June 21, 1964. Before long, they welcomed their first child, Alycia in (1965), LaShann (1966), Ruben, Jr. (1973), Sheena (1976), and their last child, Keeli (1978). Together, they started and presided over Community Holiness Church in Tampa, Florida for many years.He was married to his loving wife Beverly for 62 years before his departure. 

Ruben was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Lee and Fannie Mae Sledge; six brothers, Claude, Frank, Arthur, IV, Joe and Samuel; two sisters, Mildred Brown and his twin sister Ruth Darden; and one grandchild, Melody Christian Walker. 

Ruben leaves his loving children to cherish his memories: Alycia (Andrew), LaShann (Anthony deceased), Ruben, Jr., Sheena and Keeli; grandchildren, Darius (Megan), Jamee, Shakayla, Joseph (Viridiana), Lamar, Lena and Nathan; adopted grandchildren, Myesha, Leontyne, Teah and Jazmyne; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.