troops and delivered them to Sheppard Air Force Base
for those serving abroad. Joining a sister, she served
on the Silent Auction Committee of Powerful Purses, a
charity organization in Fort Worth supporting education.
Ruby served as a mentor to help abused women and
participated in charities in her local community. She
loved to cook and bake, sharing those treats with others
in need or to brighten a day! One program closest to her
heart involved helping children with learning disabilities.
She not only gave financial support, but gave of her
personal time by participating in their class basics for
becoming self-sufficient. She was a loyal supporter of
the Rouse FFA. Those who knew her best, remember her
kindness given not through formal charity organizations,
but to individuals in need. Following in the footsteps of
her parents, Ruby was a generous anonymous donor.
Most of us never acquire fame. Our ripple in life’s
pond touches the future through those who journeyed
with us. Ruby’s Austin granddaughters: Emma LeAnn
and Riley Elizabeth, joined with cousins - Weatherford
granddaughters, Kenlee Beck and Kylei Brock, to
celebrate their Nana’s journey ‘Parker County Style’!
They summed her ‘dash’ up very well. From Austin: “She
loved us and we loved her.” They loved ‘girl time’ with
their Nana, family parties, shopping and trips … “Nana
taught us to be nice, have grace and courage, to help
others, and always to tell the truth no matter what …”
“I always look up to her and want to be like her when I
grow up”…. “I carry her in my heart and am so grateful
for the years I got to spend with her” ... “We wish Ella
could have known Nana like we did, but she is still
a baby.” “Nana supported education and visited our
classes. She called us before and after school every day
to see what was happening, to encourage and support
us.” Her Weatherford granddaughters shared that: “Nana
Ruby was always so fun, funny and sometimes sarcastic
– to get your attention” and “I could always count on her
energetic spirit to greet me with a hug and a smile.” “Our
mom will share stories so we never forget our feisty Nana
Ruby.” “Even from her hospital bed, she made us laugh.”
Taylor Ann speaks for her husband, Corey, brother,
Richard, sister, Stephanie and husband, Todd, saying
“for those that knew mom, in her day she was vibrant,
unique, the embodiment of a servant’s heart, a best friend
and the most positive person you would ever want to
meet. She loved life, time with her big family, especially
‘her girls’ and friends that were counted as part of the
family. She took pleasure in sitting on her front porch
and talking with Richard, visiting in Weatherford with
Stephanie’s family, going to movies with us, preparing
favorite meals and coming for visits…always bringing
fun and surprises. Mom made everyone feel special. Her
legacy of love touches our hearts and lives every day. She
is missed.” Karlye Michelle, great niece, speaks for the
‘greats’: “Aunt Ruby will always hold a special place in
our hearts and I cannot put into words how much I have
missed her these past few months. All the trips we used to
take to Wichita Falls, Austin and Weatherford, time spent
with the girls and stopping by her favorite pie shop are
memories that have been set on my heart forever. Seeing
the kind of person she was inspires me to become more
like her. A feisty, joyous, hard-headed personality-she
was one in a million. I’ll forever remember my amazing
Aunt Ruby! My brother, Blaine and cousin, Walter Don
cared for Aunt Ruby too, she spoiled us, loved us, and
made us laugh.”
Lastly, the brothers, sisters, brother-in-law, nieces,
nephews (including the ‘greats’), friends all join the
children, grandchildren and family of Ruby to honor her
memory. “While the gift of a last hug and sharing how
much she was loved was not to be for them or us … we do
know that Ruby knew our hearts and realized she would
never be forgotten by her children and family, and that we
would honor our lifetime commitment to take care of each
other. She took the gift of our hearts with her too when she
took the Lord’s hand and was led to the waiting arms of
her parents to welcome her to heaven. Our circle of love
will be unbroken, as we will carry her forward into our
futures with much love, great laughter and a few tears,”
said sister Barbara Ann Fife.”
Survived by Richard Thornhill, Taylor and Corey Elrod,
Emma, Riley, Ella; Stephanie and Todd Wood, Kenlee,
Kylei; & Fife Family – Barbara, Betty Burkhart, Gary W.,
Ruth & Craig Swancy, Lynn, Larry D., Rhonda, Tiffany,
Kimbell, Chris, Matt, Karlye, Blaine, Walter Don; & friends
Jeannie Stewart, Ty Cannedy & Ray Pace; and of course
our Papaw (husband of 39 years, Carl).
JUNE 2020 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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