Ruby Holbrook

News Obituary Article

UNION CITY: Ruby Holbrook, looked after family

By KAY POWELL

Ruby Holbrook was a praying woman.

Prayer got her through the death of her husband in 1961. It sustained her when her only child died seven months later. And it was her refuge when her son-in-law died in 1963.

At 60, she quit her job, sold her Atlanta residence and moved into her daughter's house. There she reared her two orphaned granddaughters, Gail Shaw Ewing of Lithia Springs, who was 12, and Andrea Shaw Cheesman of Marietta, who was 7.

"She was a strong woman," said Mrs. Ewing. "She was a praying woman. She read the Bible every day. Her faith kept her going, and it kept her going 100 years."

Mrs. Holbrook, 100, of Union City died of complications from pneumonia Monday at Christian City Convalescent Center. The funeral is 1 p.m. today at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Douglas Chapel.

She moved from Coweta County to LaGrange in 1923. Two years later she married and by 1930 had moved to Atlanta. With her husband, Mrs. Holbrook operated Holbrook's Cafe on Peachtree Street, said Mrs. Ewing. Her sweet potato pie was legendary.

"She had the best sweet potato pie anybody ever put their teeth into," said the Rev. Jim Dyer, pastor emeritus of Southwest Christian Church, where Mrs. Holbrook cooked church night suppers and organized the food for weddings, funerals and shut-ins.

"Our church has a reputation for serving people, and she was right in the middle of it," he said.

After selling the cafe, Mrs. Holbrook made draperies professionally. "She made all our clothes," said Mrs. Ewing. "We'd see a dress we liked in Rich's and she'd go home and make it for us. She made all her own patterns."

"She was sharp as she could be," said the Rev. Dyer.

Survivors include six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons.

© 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution