Ruby Mathis

BELKNAP -- Ruby Mae Mathis, 90, died at 6:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in the Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna.

Ruby was born July 28, 1922, in Pulaski County. She was the daughter of Ira Leek and Ora (Modglin) Leek.

Ruby was united in marriage to Carlos Farmer on June 9, 1939. He preceded her in death in November 1954. She was later united in marriage to Daniel Mathis on Feb. 17, 1956, in Metropolis. He preceded her in death April 19, 1994.

Ruby is survived by her children, Dena (Farmer) Phillips and her husband, Jim, of Hardin, Ky., Sherry Ward and her husband, Tony, of Anna, Marla Wyatt and her husband, Tracey, of York, Neb., Tony Mathis of Belknap and his fiancée, Tracey, of Metropolis, Terrie Mathis of Altadena, Calif., and Mark Mathis of Belknap; 14 grandchildren, Rhonda Denson, Glenda Wyatt, Scott Farmer, Jayson Farmer, Belinda Moore, Pam Dudek, Michael Chapman, Natalie Taylor, Michael Phillips, Jennifer Wyman, Nick Ward, Jesse Wyatt, Lauren Wyatt and Cody Wyatt; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Farmer of Metropolis; and nieces and nephews. Ruby was also anticipating the birth of a great-great-grandchild in August 2013.

In addition to her parents; and husbands, Ruby was preceded in death by a son, Ronnie Farmer; a daughter, Bonnie Chapman; a son-in-law, Larry Chapman; a sister, Dorothy Holcomb; and two brothers, Ed Leek and Bill Leek.

Ruby was proud of the fact that she had attained her GED when she was in her 60s. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing and working crossword puzzles. Ruby was dedicated to her family and loved spending time with them. She is fondly remembered as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. In earlier years, Ruby was a member of the Massac County Homemaker's Extension.

Ruby was a true servant of God and faithful member of Vienna Church of Christ, where she had taught in the Sunday school. Ruby loved to attend church and share her faith with others.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Brother Bill Brandstatter will officiate. Interment will be in Berea Cemetery, southeast of Vienna. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Berea Cemetery Fund, c/o Tony Mathis, 2096 Westview Road, Belknap, IL 62908 or to New Pathway's For Children, P.O. Box 10, Melber, KY 42069.

To share a memory of Ruby or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, visit www.baileyfh.com.