Ruby Virginia Brown

Ruby Virginia Brown, an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away on March 14, 2023, to be with our heavenly Father. She died peacefully at home in Lehigh Acres, FL, in the loving care of her family. She was 81 years old.

Ruby was born in Fredericksburg, VA, and was a graduate of James Monroe High School (class of 1959) and the Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse who cared for patients at hospitals in Fredericksburg and Ft. Myers, FL.

She and husband James "Jim" Brown recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Together they raised two daughters, Kimberly and Karla.

Ruby had remarkable beauty and grace. She was crowned Miss Rescue Squad of 1957 and Miss Virginia State Fireman the same year. She was a talented athlete who was a basketball star in high school and after moving to Ft. Myers in 1976 took up golf and was a standout on the course. She and Jim loved to dance and could cut a rug in many styles -- from square dancing to swing, waltz and rumba.

Perhaps second only to her beloved husband Jim, Ruby cherished her Pomeranian Lucy. She enjoyed movies, especially romantic comedies, Matthew McConaughey and popcorn. She loved the Olive Garden and any good salad bar. She could shop for hours and always made sure her girls looked their best - from Polly Finder's smocked Easter dresses to prom gowns from Jacobson's and R-Nell's. But her favorite times were spent on balmy summer Sundays with family and friends at the Browns' place on the Aquia Creek in Virginia - over tables spread with freshly steamed blue crabs and cold beer.

Left to cherish her memory are husband Jim, daughters Kimberly Keenan (Robert) of Naples, FL, and Karla Brown-Garcia (Pedro) of Des Moines, IA, grandchildren Kaitlin Karr and Luke Jameson Garcia, sisters Ida Lambrose of Ft. Myers, FL, and Betty Nolan Kiser of Fredericksburg, VA, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her mother Lucille Heubi, stepfather John Heubi, brothers Stewart Heubi and Henry Heubi and granddaughter Kirsten Karr. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.