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Ruby Rakestraw Obituary

Rakestraw, Ruby D.
of Phoenix passed away on March 8, 2011 with her family by her side. She was born on October 23, 1926 in Cook, Nebraska to Fred and Rose Fesenbek. She has lived in AZ for over 46 years. She spent 20 years in food service at Sky Harbor and another 17 in cafeteria services with Sunnyslope HS and Moon Valley HS. Ruby always had a smile for her students and always told everyone she met "Be Happy!" She gave her faculty first class service. She was an incredibly hard worker, maintained a strong work ethic and the highest standards of customer service. If a child didn't have enough money to cover his or her lunch for the day she fed them anyway and would allow them to bring it another time. She loved to dance! She was an accomplished square dancer and took lessons at Arthur Murray. Ruby loved music she played piano and the organ. Her family describes her as a shopaholic! She was extremely stylish... No old lady clothes for her and she knew how to accessorize! She loved lots of jewelry and bling. Ruby also enjoyed the occasional trip to Ft. McDowell and she loved her lucky Wizard of Oz machine. Her favorite TV shows were Andy Griffin, Sanford and Son and Bonanza. Ruby is preceded in death by her husband Leland (1988). She is survived by her husband David H. Spaulding, daughters; Linda (Larry) Nesbitt and Sherry (Charlie) Nesbitt, sons; John (Darlene) Rakestraw, Gary Rakestraw and Scott (Terri) Rakestraw, grandchildren; Tonya ( Roger) Earle, Bryan (Melissa) Nesbitt, Brandon Nesbitt, Deon (Lisa) Rakestraw, Barrett Rakestraw, Jason (Patricia) Rakestraw, Jeffrey (Amy) Nesbitt, Lance Nesbitt, Shawn and Brad Rakestraw and granddogs; Tiger, Amber and Normie, great grandchildren; Kelsey, Allison, Natalia and Cassandra Earle, Christopher, Livia, Mia and London Nesbitt, Breanna, Devin, E.J. Alyssa, Jonathan, Lindsey and Megan Rakestraw and Hanna and Aaron Nesbitt. Ruby had also adopted a little chihuahua she nicknamed "Midg" that she leaves behind. Visitation and funeral will be held at Hansen Mortuary 8314 N. 7th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020. Visitation will be Sunday, March 13, 2011, 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 12:00pm. Please make memorial contributions "In Memory of Ruby" to either the COPD Foundation www.copdfoundation.org or the Humane Society www.humanesociety.org . In Ruby's honor and upon her request, those attending services are asked not to dress for a funeral... She loved her family and friends and wanted everyone to be happy and comfortable...We will all miss her generous, thoughtful spirit and great sense of humor. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to place online condolences.
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Published by The Arizona Republic from Mar. 12 to Mar. 13, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

March 15, 2011

Dear Linda, I retain sweet memories of your mom always being kind and gracious to me even given the circumstances under which we met. I recall us exchanging stories about my mom & your mom's waitressing careers:)...I'm sorry. you will always miss her...Lynne Nesbitt

Anna Mendoza

March 12, 2011

Scot and Terri,
Words cannot express our sincere sympathy at the loss of your mother. What a gracious and kind woman she was - God has taken a new angel unto Him. With our thoughts and prayers, Adrian and Anna

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