179: Blanket of Silence: Ruby McCollum

179: Blanket of Silence: Ruby McCollum

Author: Erica Kelley May 15, 2023 Duration: 1:13:13
In August of 1952, 43-year-old Ruby McCollum, a black woman, was two months pregnant. The father was a 48-year-old white politician named Dr. Clifford Leroy Adams, Jr. For seven years, Dr. Adams had manipulated, bullied, and raped Ruby. He forced her to bear one of his children already, and this unborn child would be the second. On Sunday, August 3rd, Ruby entered Dr. Adams’ medical practice for help with an ailing shoulder. But when Dr. Adams tried to force himself on Ruby once more, she snapped. And the State of Florida believed she should face the electric chair for it.

Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/ruby-mccollum

Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank
Additional writing by Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica Kelley
Case requested by Rachel, Tracy, and Danita



  • This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/southern and get on your way to being your best self.
  • Customize the US’s best home security system for your home by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.
  • It’s the 5 year anniversary of the podcast Morbid! Check out their special anniversary series wherever you get podcasts, or early and ad free on Amazon Music or the Wondery app.

Hosted by Tennessee native Erica Kelley, Southern Fried True Crime digs into the dark, complex, and often unsettling stories that have shaped the American South. This podcast moves beyond the headlines to examine both historical cases and contemporary crimes, all through the lens of the region's distinct culture. Erica brings a local's perspective, balancing a layer of charm with a direct, no-nonsense approach-what she aptly calls southern sass. Each episode is a deep dive into how geography, tradition, and social structures influence these events and their outcomes. You'll hear detailed narratives that reveal how the justice system operates in the Deep South, for better or worse. The show connects the past to the present, exploring how history echoes in modern courtrooms and investigations. It’s a blend of societal observation, cultural history, and true crime analysis, all grounded in Erica's firsthand understanding of the territory. Listen for thorough research presented in a conversational tone, where the setting is as crucial as the crime itself. This isn't just about the what, but the why and how, specifically within a southern context. Tune in for a compelling exploration where the stories are as layered and potent as the region's famed cuisine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Southern Fried True Crime
Podcast Episodes
168: The Trials of Hattie Lee Barnes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:22
In April 1951, a young black woman was closing up a roadhouse tavern and getting ready to sleep there for the night. Hattie Lee Barnes worked as a maid at Lee’s Place and in recent weeks had started sleeping there as car…
Amazon Music Presents: COLD: The Search for Sheree [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:28
Sheree Warren left her job in Salt Lake City on a mild October evening in 1985. She told a coworker she was headed to meet her estranged husband, Charles Warren, at a car dealership. But she never made it, Sheree vanishe…
167: The Murder of Fred Jablin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:30
Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley GrayWritten by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica Kelley Dr. Fred Jablin, a highly…
166: Rapist & Serial Killer: Henry Louis Wallace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:33
From 1992-1994, a serial killer stalked young black women in Charlotte, North Carolina. Police came under fire from families and the media once the killer was unmasked. They blamed being understaffed during a crack epide…
Wondery presents: The Generation Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:49
The Generation Why Podcast released its first episode in 2012 and pioneered the true crime genre in the podcasting world. Two friends, Aaron & Justin, break down theories and give their opinions on unsolved murders, cont…
165: I95 Killer or Serial Killer: Gary Ray Bowles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
In the spring of 1994, the southern and eastern seaboard states were terrorized by a serial killer using the I-95 corridor to travel between states and victims. Six gay men were targeted by a drifter, working as a hustle…
164: The Abduction & Murder of Sydney Sutherland #runningwhilefemale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:35
On the afternoon of August 19th, 2020, 24-year-old Sydney Sutherland went missing while on her regular run in rural Jackson County, Arkansas. Within 2 hours, Sydney’s family realized she was in danger, contacted the poli…
Wondery Presents: The ReWatcher: Buffy The Vampire Slayer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:12
Welcome to the Hellmouth Weirdos! Your favorite Morbid hosts Ash and Alaina are branching out from true crime and heading to Sunnydale for the ultimate Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rewatch podcast! Alaina is a Buffy superfan…
163: The Mysterious Murder of Corinna Mullen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:56
In the spring of 1987, 20 year old Corinna Mullen moved to Central City, Kentucky in hopes of providing a better life for her two year old daughter. But within six months of her move, Corinna was found brutally murdered.…