Ruby Jean Lofton

Ruby Jean Lofton followed her beloved husband, Coach Jim Lofton, into the next life on September 8, 2015.  She died peacefully at her home in Gainesville, under the care of her loving son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Charlotte Lofton. Ruby Jean was 86.

Ruby Jean had five sons -- Jim, Bill, Dick, Bob, and John – two people, who came to be surrogate children – Chris and Sandra Nix, 24 grandchildren, and generations of students and athletes who loved her like a second mom.

Ruby Jean was born to Richard and Gladys Johnson in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 25, 1929. Ruby Jean and Jim (whom everybody knew as “Coach”) were high school sweethearts at Whitehaven High School in Memphis. Afterward, she went to Memphis State, where she studied to be a school teacher, while Jim served in the 11^th Airborne Division and then went to Auburn University. Ruby Jean and Jim were married in 1952, the summer before Jim’s senior year at Auburn.

Ruby Jean taught generations of Jefferson and Hall County students English poetry, prose and grammar where her husband coached football: in Jefferson at Jefferson High School and Jefferson Elementary, and in Gainesville at East Hall High School, North Hall High School, and Lanier Elementary School.

Ruby Jean had one of the greatest marriages a person can have. She loved Coach without qualification and supported him in everything that he did. Coach loved her more than anything – even football.  

She also loved her sons and their families, the Nix’s, Coach’s players and parents, her students, her yard – she had flowers blooming in every season, the birds that flocked outside her window, outside parties with her children, their families and friends, and those little ceramic figurines that she put all over the house.

A service to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, September 13, at 3 p.m. in the chapel at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville at 751 Green St., Northwest. Visitation in the fellowship hall will follow the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eagle Ranch, a residential program to help youths (www.eagleranch.org).

Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com.

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements.