Ruby I. Branson

1913 - 2015

Ruby I. Branson, maiden name Butler, was born in Imperial Valley, Calif., on March 5, 1913, to John Van Butler and Lillie May Parish Butler.
When Ruby was one year old the family moved to Arkansas where she lived until she was eight years old. At this time the family moved to Pitcher, Okla., for one year and then to California.
In 1936 Ruby graduated from U.C.L.A. where she earned three life credentials in teaching: kindergarten, elementary, and high school. She received a master's degree from the Cal State of Bakersfield and taught school for 44 years in Buckeye, Ariz., and Lone Pine, Calif.
In 1942 Ruby married Donald Branson from Lone Pine, Calif. They had two sons Bruce James Branson and Timothy Wayne Branson.
Ruby had a reputation for never throwing anything away, especially correspondence dating back years. Don cramped for filing space one day asked if he might dispose of some of the older, less useful papers. Ruby was reluctant but finally said, "Well, all right, but be sure you make a copy of everything before you throw it away."
In 1980 Ruby retired from teaching and became the secretary for the Lone Pine Television. She loved Lone Pine and its people.
Ruby is survived by son and daughter-in-law Bruce and Dorothy Branson of Lone Pine, Calif.; grandchildren Ben and Anna Branson and granddaughter Brooklyn of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; Matt and Robin Branson and grandchildren Morgan and Mason of Elkhart, Indiana; Elizabeth and Andres Martinez and grandchildren Antonio and Ella of Lone Pine.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Mt. Whitney Baptist Church in Lone Pine.