Thelma Ruby

Thelma Ruby

Oskaloosa. Thelma Irene Ruby, 96, of Tucson, Arizona, and formerly of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, June 30, 2011, at the Devon Gables Nursing Home in Tucson. She was born July 5, 1914 at Montezuma, the daughter of Richard and Verna McFerren Gilliland. In 1940, she was married to Dale Pascoe at Oskaloosa, and he died in December, 1945. On May 17, 1954, she was united in marriage to Harold Ruby at Washington, Iowa, and Harold died July 17, 2000. Thelma worked as a clerk at various Oskaloosa retail stores for twenty years, including J.C. Penney and Coast to Coast. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, Oskaloosa, American Baptist Women; and former member of the Oskaloosa Womens Club; and Senior Citizen of the YWCA. She enjoyed traveling,doing hand work, quilting,working in her garden and canning, and
fishing with her husband at their cabin on the Iowa River near Oakville for many years. She moved to Tucson in May, 2003.

Her family includes a son: John Keith (& Lynn) Cameron of Cameron, Missouri; a daughter: Jan (& Jack) Harkless of Tucson, Arizona; two stepdaughters: Gloria (& Don) Shaw of Eldora, Iowa and Gail (& Leonard) Brookins of Anamosa, Iowa; two grandsons: John G. Cameron and Jeff Harkless; six great grandchildren; five step grandchildren; a few step great grandchild; and a sister: Fern Johnston of Mesa, Arizona,

Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; and a twin sister, Velma Mitchell.

As was her wish, Thelma has been cremated. Memorial services will be held at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel of Oskaloosa, is in charge of the arrangements.

Source: Bates Funeral Chapel