MADISONVILLE, KY - Florence Ruby Major, 89, of LaGrange, Tx, formerly of Madisonville, died February 14, 2012, at Monument Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in La Grange, Texas.
Ruby was born on January 5, 1923, in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was the youngest child of Melissa Carder Bennett and Eli Bennett. She graduated from Mountain Grove High School, Mountain Grove, Mo. She married William M.Major on March 7, 1946, in Coral Gables, Florida. Ruby and Bill lived in Brazil for 2 years before settling in Madisonville, where they owned the Western Auto Store in Madisonville for 31 years.
Ruby is survived by two children, Ruby Ann (husband Jack Crosbie), of Austin and La Grange, Texas, and Robert Bennett Major, of Madisonville. She is also survived by three grand children, Emily Hoffman (husband, Eric Hoffman), Christian Click, and Calvin Click. Ruby has one great-grandchild, Hailee Samford, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband of 62 years, William M. Major, son William Morris Major III, and son-in-law, Grady H. Click.
Ruby was entirely devoted to her family and will be remembered as wonderful and supportive wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Over the years, she energetically attended countless swim meets, ball games, piano and dance recitals, school functions, and hosted numerous parties and get-togethers in the Major home. Ruby "Momo" loved spending time with her Texas grandchildren, attending as many of their sports events as possible. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for several years. Ruby enjoyed skiing, swimming, fishing and golf. Throughout their marriage, Ruby and Bill enjoyed many travel adventures together.
Ruby's natural culinary skills were well known; she was a truly amazing cook. Ruby had a 'green thumb', grew beautiful flowers and enjoyed their vegetable garden. In the spring, her daffodils covered the hillside and in the summer, her roses filled the Major home. Friends and family will always remember Ruby's sharp wit and sense of humor. She had an uncanny ability to find humor in ordinary life events, which had an uplifting effect on everyone that knew her. Ruby treasured her friendships, some of them spanning 65 years. Friends admired her loyalty, humor, and strength.
Ruby was a member of the First Christian Church in Madisonville and a member of the same church circle since 1947. She was a member of the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs. She was also a Kentucky Colonel. Ruby was a multi-talented individual, and was known throughout the region for her artistic talent in oil and watercolor painting, pen and ink and pastel drawings, smocking and needlework, pottery, metal and wood crafts, rug-making, quilt-making, and china painting. Ruby won several state-level awards. Many of her pen and ink drawings of historic landmarks grace Hopkins County
offices and homes. She designed and embroidered a stunning crewel bedspread that represented Kentucky in Washington, D.C,. She was also an excellent seamstress, making tailored jackets for all of her family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, February 20, 2012 at the Barnett-Strother Funeral Home with Rev. Don McLaughlin officiating. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.
Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Madisonville or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
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