Sunday, July 29, 2012, Ruby Lois Holland Smith died peacefully at Northeast Georgia Medical Center after a brief illness and in answer to her prayer, went to her heavenly home to "see Jesus and Chester," her beloved husband of 62 years.
Born in Hall County on March 18, 1924 to parents, Robert Lee and Ella Holland, Ruby was the oldest daughter in a family of seven children and lived her entire life within a half mile of where she was born. In 1942, she married Chester, her one and only sweetheart, whom she had loved since childhood. She shared stories with her children, Linda, Cathy and Stanley, of standing on the front porch to catch a glimpse of him when he would come to their house to visit her brother, Cecil. Ruby and Chester shared their life and love, working side by side on their farm on Glade Farm Road until Chester died in a tractor accident in 2004. There is a saying that" the greatest gift parents can give their children is to love each other" and there is no question that Linda, Cathy and Stanley were gifted beyond measure.
Ruby accepted Christ as her Savior early in her life and reflected His love to others with her sweet, caring spirit. She praised Him with her angelic voice in her church, at home on the farm and at her Morningside assisted living home, where she resided for the last seven months of her life. She loved the hymns and always had a song in her heart. She had a sweet sense of humor, infectious laugh and grateful heart and always believed in giving friends, neighbors, caretakers and passersby "bouquets" while they were living. She loved generously and truly appreciated every ministry bestowed upon her.
Ruby was a lifelong member of Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1, where she sang in the choir for many years and later for her dear friends in her Sunday School class as her health began to fail. For many years, she grew and arranged beautiful flowers for the church and served in numerous other capacities, ministering to friends, neighbors and strangers.
In the mid 60's, Ruby took her first job off the farm when the Sears retail store opened at Sherwood Plaza and she worked there part-time for 20 years- serving with the same work ethic and cheerful spirit that was true to her character. After her husband died in 2004, Ruby loved volunteering at Northeast Georgia Medical Center as long as her health permitted.
Ruby was a graduate of River Bend High School and last year joined other surviving classmates for their 70th class reunion. Throughout her life she maintained a close friendship with school mate, Hilda Roper, a dear friend and kindred spirit.
Ruby was preceded in death by her precious husband, Chester; parents, Robert Lee and Ella Holland; brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Oma Holland; brothers Cecil and Clifford Holland; and sister and brother-in-law, Myrtice and Dwayne Foster; sister-in-law Kathryn Holland; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leon and Evelyn Clark; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Melvin and Corliss Smith. She is survived by her three loving children and their families: Linda and Jerry Huff and their children, spouses and grandchildren: Brian, Charlie and Mary Elizabeth Huff; Jonathan and Liz, Ben, Eli and Jabin Huff; Michael and Robin, Ruthie and Mitch Huff; Cathy and Doug Bowers and their children, spouses and grandchildren: Christy and J Jones, Abbie Grace, Andrew and Allie Jones; Caleb and Laurie Bowers; Stanley and Kelly Smith; their children and grandchild: Kimberley and Joey Ayers; Kevin and Shelley Smith and baby Hudson and Stan Shubert. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Eula and John O. Savage; brother Ray Holland and brother and sister-in-law Roy and Kloma Holland, and sister-in-law Marian Clark as well as numerous nieces, nephews and loving friends.
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." Proverbs 31: 10.
The family will receive friends at Memorial Park North on Riverside Drive Tuesday, July 31 from 6-8 p.m.; a celebration of her life will be held at Dewberry Baptist Church on Clarks Bridge Road on Wednesday, August 1 at 11 a.m. Ruby's nephew, the Rev. Gary Foster, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Dewberry's Fellowship Hall Renovation Fund. Mail to: Linda Little, 4640 N. Browning Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. Online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
