Ruby Duke Obituary

Ruby Duke passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at her home in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Ruby was born the first of six children in western Oklahoma and married her rancher husband, Kay Duke, in 1936. After living on their ranch in western Oklahoma for 16 years and raising three children there, they bought a ranch in Pawhuska and moved in 1952. In 1958, a fourth child, Rick, was born.
Ruby was active in the First Christian Church in Pawhuska and the other cities she lived. She loved singing in the choir and she taught Sunday school classes during her children's school years. She was also active in the Heeko Club, PTA, and numerous other local and state organizations. She was dedicated in her desire to improve and promote Pawhuska as a great place to live and the potential it held as a tourist destination. She was always volunteering, organizing, or meeting with organizers to improve the image Pawhuska presented. Ruby won numerous community awards and received several commendations from the City of Pawhuska for her tireless efforts. The city even honored her as the Grand Marshal of the Christmas parade one year for all her hard work over the years.
At the state level she was dedicated to promoting mental health and served on several boards for the Oklahoma Mental Health Organization. She traveled statewide to work with communities to help them improve their local mental health services and advise them on the state services and funds available to them. She received several citations from the state honoring her for her dedication in raising mental health awareness in Oklahoma.
Although Ruby lived in Wagoner, Tulsa, and Norman over the years she and her family always considered Pawhuska home. She is survived by her daughter Gayle, her oldest son Govan, and her youngest son Rick. She had eight grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kay, and her son, Kelly.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 23, 1:00PM, at the Presbyterian Disciples Church, 101 East 12th Street, Pawhuska.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Mental Health Association at mhaok.org or by mail to 5330 East 31st Street, Suite 1000, Tulsa, Ok 74135.
Arrangements are being made by Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home in Pawhuska.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Examiner-Enterprise from Feb. 20 to Mar. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruby Duke

8 Entries

Jane Redwine Bartlett

March 19, 2019

Ruby Duke (Mrs. Duke to us for our childhood years) made each of us in the Christian Church feel special whether it was her enthusiastic greeting each Sunday or in our church school class and youth group. We loved going out to the ranch. I have often thought of her wise counsel and evident deep faith through the years. My blessings to each of you and my gratitude for having known Ruby Duke and felt her influence. Those saints of the Pawhuska First Christian Church gave us a foundation on which we still stand.

March 9, 2019

To Ruby's family and friends, please take comfort in each other during this sad time. My deepest sympathies go out to you all.

March 6, 2019

Losing a loved one is never easy, but our loving God promises to give the strength and courage you will need to endure, and to cope with the pain of your loss. He also promises to hold your hand every step of the way. (Isaiah 40:29, 41:10, 13) May loving memories also sustain your family during this difficult time.

Kayleen Jackson

February 24, 2019

Auntie Ruby was the epitome of warmth, grace and happiness. She reminded me of Aunt Eller in the movie "Oklahoma." Everbody welcome, always. We will also miss her, greatly. Everyone should be so lucky as to have an Auntie Ruby/Aunt Eller in their lives.

February 19, 2019

I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family . It's in times like these when the loving promises of our Heavenly Father, like that of seeing your dear loved ones again, can bring you comfort and can even soften some of the pain that you are feeling deep in your hearts.-1Thessalonians 4:13,14*

Sonya Kolander/Bergschneider

February 18, 2019

Cousin Ruby was always a "light" in our family with her big, loving personality. She will be greatly missed. Sending love and sympathy to her immediate family.'Til we meet again.

February 18, 2019

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. And while you await for the promise at John 6:40 to be fulfilled please accept my deepest sympathy.

F&D

February 18, 2019

Our sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort in knowing that God collects our tears and is close to the brokenhearted ready to comfort us in our moment of need. - Psalm 56:8

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results