" I was going to make Supra Rankin some of my fig preserves for her husband’s great-uncle’s funeral on Monday if you was going that way … Lord knows it’s a shame that family don’t believe in getting they people preserved right. And how they think the man will keep fresh while they waitin’ on them Mississippi Rankins to get here I don’t know.” “Shephard’s Mortuary lay folk out nice, Mama.” “Shamed Mother Mercy last year with them red lips and rubbed-on fair skin.” “Mama …” “Woman look like a peppermint stick, Lord know. "

― Cynthia Bond , Ruby