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Ruby Mae Barber Moody

FUNERAL HOME

Rose Funeral & Cremation - Broadway

1421 N. Broadway

Knoxville, Tennessee

Ruby Moody Obituary

MOODY, RUBY MAE BARBER - age 94 of Knoxville, passed away into the arms of Jesus on April 14, 2006 at Hillcrest West Hospice with her children and family at her side. Ruby was one of 14 children born to Nathan and Alma Price Barber on February 19, 1912. A truly gifted musician and talented composer, Ruby started playing the piano at age 4. Over the years, she has written hundreds of songs; where many were recorded by various artist and groups. Her greatest success, recording in 1951, was "Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill", which is now in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Ruby received many awards during her career in the Gospel and Bluegrass Field, and was well-known in the early Nashville music circuit. Her finest hour was the nomination for the prestigious Dove Award, for writer of the year, for "Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill". Ruby was preceded in death by: her parents; 13 brothers and sisters; husband, Elmer W. Moody; sons, Bob, Bill and Jack Moody; daughter, Betty Lynn Rippy; and grandson, Randy Moody. She is survived by her loving and devoted family: daughters, Helen D. Lynch, Mary R. Cate and husband, Jimmy C. Cate; son, John D. Moody and wife Sheila; 16 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 15 great great grandchildren and a host of nephews and nieces. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Hillcrest West for the care given to Ruby. The family would especially like to thank and recognize the staff of Caris Hospice for the care and loving support given to Ruby and her family during her final days. There will be a Celebration of Life Service 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel with Rev. Tony Maples, Rev. Gary Smith and Rev. Dennis Sharp officiating. Pallbearers will be: Todd Moody, Jay Cate, Kris Lynch, Jason Lynch, Sam Moody, Mark Dugger, Rick Pinkston and Ray Barber. The family and friends will meet Wednesday at Greenwood Cemetery for a 11:00 a.m. interment service. The family will receive friends 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel. www.rosemortuary.com

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

Published by Knoxville News Sentinel from Apr. 16 to Apr. 17, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruby Moody

16 Entries

Amy M. CNA

May 5, 2006

I had the pleasure of taking care of Ruby at the nursing home. She was a wonderful person the few times I got to work with her and I am so sorry about the loss my thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Bill;y Joe and Nancy Whedbee

April 26, 2006

I would just like to say that I first became aquainted with Ruby through my friendship with her son Bob. She was a great insperation in my Christian life through her testimony in music. I never shall forget the time I went to Ruby's house and she said Billy Joe I would like to sing you a song I just wrote yesterday, she then started playing the piano and singing and oh my what an impression it made in my soul as for the first time I heard Ruby sing Walking My Lord up Calvarys Hill.. Ruby you will be missed but soon we will again be reunited with Our Lord,,

Tandy Warwick

April 20, 2006

I got to know Ruby over the phone when I worked at Acuff-Rose Music in Nashville. When I found out that she was from Knoxville, we had a common bond, as I grew up in Corryton. She was always so sweet and wonderful to talk to. I'll always remember her and the many times we talked about music and Knoxville.

May God Bless her family in their time of grief and loss.

Earel Mays

April 20, 2006

Ruby was a great inspiration to many through her many gospel songs and we considered it an honor to call her our friend. She gave us the priviledge (Don & Earl) to be the first to ever sing "Walking My Lord Up Calvary" on the radio.

She will be missed by many here but Heaven is sweeter with her presence. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Brother Earl

Rev. Ken Williams

April 20, 2006

I never knew Mrs.Moody but I've sung her song many times "Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill. I pray God's Blessings on the family. She has left a great number of songs that will endure through time. Thank God for people that are inspired to write like she did in her lifetime.

Rev. Ken Williams

April 20, 2006

Trisha Ward

April 18, 2006

Revelations 21:4

So sorry for your loss - I love you all.

Trish

Ernest Greer

April 18, 2006

Ruby and me were borned across the street from one another. We played together for years.

She loved to come to my home and play the old pump organ and sing.

We had great times together and everybody loved Ruby.

She is going to be missed.

Debbie Vandergriff RN

April 18, 2006

Thank you for allowing me to help care for your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Judy Harmon

April 17, 2006

Ruby was a great Lady.She is my Aunt.My father was Wallace Barber,I took care of him untill God took him home.Aunt Ruby would come out almost every week to sing to him .Im very sorry for the family.It's our lost but Gods gain. Mary was the one who would bring her to her Brother so they could praise the Lord together.God Bless You Mary for that made my Father so happy.To me Aunt Ruby was a angle God put here to bless people's soul's.Now she is with all her loved ones rejoicesing in Heaven.I know all her children are heart broken. I was when Daddy went home to be with the Lord.Aunt Ruby loved the lord with all her body and soul.She told me once that all she wanted was to go to Heaven and see Jesus and shout on the street's of gold.Im very sorry for the family but Im happy in the Lord for my Aunt Ruby.There was just one like her .I loved her with all my heart and soul and I pray that someday I'll see all my loved one's again.I pray for her children God will give you all the strenth to get thru all this.And God Bless You All.

With all my love

Your cousin

Jerry Adams

April 17, 2006

I never knew Ruby. I feel like I have. Ruby and my aunt, Helen (Penny Jay) Moyers, were friends and colleagues in the music business. Penny Jay passed away March 29, 2006. She spoke highly of Ruby. I emailed Ruby's obituary to my cousin Sherry (Penny Jay's daughter). My mother, Wanda, works at Hillcrest. You have my condolences and prayers.

Michael de Bills

April 17, 2006

my thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss Ruby and her great writings she was a one of a kind

God Bless Ruby

Wolfvalley productions.

William Presley

April 16, 2006

My sympathy goes out to the Moody family! Ruby was my Sunday School teacher at the Mennonite Church on University Ave. 60 years ago! I have very fond memories of her,& those days! I have not lived in Knoxville for over 40 years, but the internet still keeps me in touch. Of all of Ruby's children, Mary Ruth is the only one that I rember clearly as she was my age.

Sincerely--William (Billy Joe) Presley

David Davis

April 16, 2006

David and Ruth Davis and David Alan Davis (Spig), Nashville.

John Sliger

April 16, 2006

I will never forget Ruby playing and singing at Praise Time Chapel.

David and Ruth and David Alan Davis

April 16, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

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