Ruby Jewell Knox

1927 - 2024

Ruby Jewell Dean Knox, 96, died peacefully on September 3, 2024 in Austin, Texas. To her most beloved she was known as Mother, Ruby, Aunt Ruby and Granny. Ruby was born to Hudson and Jewell Dean in Camden, Texas on November 9, 1927 as the eldest of four siblings. Her faith and her family were her two greatest loves.

Ruby was married to her husband WB for over seventy years before he passed away in 2018. She was the sugar to his spice, the creamer to his coffee. Together Ruby and WB had many joint hobbies such as golfing, playing 42 dominoes and being devoted members of the Coushatta Camellia Society. Their 42 club met monthly for over a decade and WB and Ruby were a pair that you did not want to play against! It was inevitable that they passed on their love of dominoes to their grandchildren, who learned how to play on the laps of their Granny and Pappaw. Their yard had over 100 varieties of stunning camellia bushes. While WB would lead the camelia garden tour around the yard, Ruby would host the welcoming table, passing out homemade lemon squares and lemonade to guests. She served as the camellia society secretary and was also a judge for camellia shows, meaning she could identify hundreds of varieties of camellias!

Ruby committed her life to Jesus when she was a child and even until the last week of her life, could be found every morning faithfully reading her Bible while drinking a cup of coffee at the kitchen bar. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Conroe for over 75 years and a proud fourth generation Baptist. She held many positions of leadership in church life such as Sunday School teacher, Junior Coordinator, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) leader and church library volunteer.

Ruby was happiest when surrounded by family - her sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and then in more recent years, her precious great grandchildren whom she adored. Generations have hilarious Ruby stories that are core memories. She never took herself too seriously and was quick to laugh at herself.

Ruby was a natural leader and overachiever going all the way back to her high school days. She graduated as senior class Valedictorian from Willis High School just days before D-Day in 1944. Over the years, Ruby held volunteer positions such as PTA secretary, high school band booster secretary and treasurer and ladies golf association leader. She loved being involved and was willing to serve wherever needed.

Hospitality came naturally to Ruby and she was the quintessential Southern lady. She quickly stepped up to help organize bridal showers, baby showers and meals for visiting revival pastors. Some of her fondest memories were her and WB's patio BBQs on a Saturday afternoon. She looked forward to these days of having the aunts, uncles and cousins together where the conversation was sure to be lively, the stories hilarious, the food delicious and the tea sweet.

Ruby was a legal secretary her entire adult life and an avid lifelong reader. Even after retirement, Ruby continued to be involved in her Conroe community as an early voting booth worker and election judge. She was also an avid sports fan and could remember names of coaches and players and even scores of past games. She was an all in Texas Longhorns fan. She talked about players and coaches like they were her own children - Major, Colt, Vince, Roger (Clements), Mack, Jody, Gus. She forever held on to hope that the old Southwest Conference would someday reunite!

Ruby is preceded in death by her father, Hudson Dean, mother Jewell Dean, husband WB and sister Doris Carew. She is survived by son Rodger Knox of Baltimore, Maryland; daughter Cindy Figer and husband Mike of Dripping Springs, Texas; brother Hudson Dean and wife Carol; sister Jody Hoke and husband Lester; adoring nieces and nephews; grandchildren Ashley Pointer and husband Lucas, Andrew Figer and wife Dana, Patrick Figer and wife Kathryn, Jordan Knox, Connor Knox and wife Jackie; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

A family graveside service was held at County Line Cemetery in Willis, Texas on September 6, 2024. Please consider a donation to First Baptist Church Conroe in honor of Ruby's wonderfully full and faithful life.