Ruby Jean Gifford

Ruby Jean Gifford

3-27-1926 to 2-5-2026

Ruby Gifford resident of Bakersfield, California passed away suddenly on February 2, 2026.

Ruby was born March 27, 1926 in Dallas County Missouri to Ray Hollis and Zella (Strong) Hollis.

She was raised on a small farm outside Springfield, MO and experienced the tough times of the

depression. Due to necessity, Ruby was raised by her oldest sister, Georgia, who made her clothing

from scratch and toys from scrap inner tubes and burlap sacks. She attended Mount Olive Elementary

and graduated from Springfield High School in 1945. In 1946, she took a job as a teletype operator for

the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Ruby made that job a 23-year career leaving the

company in 1967. Ruby's railroad career is remarkable in that the railroad industry was male

dominated. In fact, when she started only 10 percent of the work force was held by women and that

percentage declined over her employment to roughly 4 percent when she left. Women were encouraged

to take more traditional roles.

Ruby arrived in Kern County in 1948 and after a short romance married Frederick Glenn Gifford on

June 1 of that same year. Her marriage lasted 66 years ending at Fred's death in May of 2014. They

had 2 sons, Allan and Kevin, and four grandchildren: Ryan, Greg, Spencer, and Carly. Also, they had

one great granddaughter, Prestyn.

After leaving the railroad, Ruby focused on raising her two sons. She was the administer of swift

justice to not only her sons but to all the neighborhood kids who got in to mischief. During this time,

Ruby found herself in another career partnering with Frederick and acquiring and managing many

rental properties in the Bakersfield area. Ruby collected rents, painted, made repairs, dealt with unruly

tenants and rented vacant apartments until she handed off the business to her sons in 1995. After her

second retirement, Ruby along with Fred prioritized their time supporting their sons and grandchildren

in all their activities. In addition, Ruby cherished spending time with her beloved sisters most

especially at the August birthday gatherings, and in most recent years, her last surviving sister, Rachel.

Ruby lived a long and meaningful life and made a great impact on all who knew her.

Preceding her in death, are her parents, her husband, Fred, her sisters, Georgia, Geraldine, and Doris,

brother, Don, and grandson Spencer. Survivors are: Allan, Kevin and his wife Diane, Becky and John

Badgett, grandchildren: Ryan Gifford and his wife Angie, Greg Gifford and his wife Tricia, Carly

Gifford, David Lord, and Kailey Parker. Nephews are Bob Hollis, Joe Gleason, Dennis Drumright,

and Ray Sands. Nieces are Donna Freelove, Georgianna Gleason, Dianne Hollis, and Dr. Cindy Hollis Keene.

Ruby will be laid to rest at Bakersfield National Cemetery 30338 East Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin CA at 2PM on March 6, 2026.

Services will be officiated by Frank Montoya.