Ruby Hammons Grimes

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Mrs. Ruby Frances Hammons Grimes, age 91, beloved wife of Dorlan Grimes, of Richmond, passed away on January 7, 2025. Born and raised in Garrard County, she was the daughter of the late Taylor and Katie Miller Hammons.
After graduating from Paint Lick High School in 1951, she attended the University of Kentucky for one year. Dorlan, however, proved to be a bigger draw than UK, and she married him in 1952. They shared the adventures of an Air Force couple, moving to Bangor, Maine, and later to Austin, Texas, eventually settling down back in Kentucky. They lived in Lancaster, where Ruby worked as a telephone operator, bookkeeper, and kindergarten teacher for several years. In 1972, they moved to Richmond where she was a homemaker for years before working at an insurance agency, EKU, Richmond City Schools, and Madison County Schools.
Ruby loved children, as evidenced by her teaching kindergarten and working in the Sunbeams and Girls in Action ministries at Lancaster Baptist and First Baptist Richmond. Her informal ministry extended to the children of Milford Estates, many of whom called her their adopted "grandma". She also ministered to multiple EKU students over the years, providing meals and a listening ear to many who thrived under her interest in them.
She was a consummate letter writer and sender of cards to her many friends and family. Her notes often arrived at just the moment the recipient most needed her gentle encouragement. She was a lifelong fan of UK basketball, attending games faithfully since 1964 and even decorating her Christmas tree in all blue during championship years.
She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church since 1972. Her life was enriched by the teaching received and the many friends made through Sunday School, Couples Club, WMU, Youth Group trips, Senior Adult Ministry, and countless other activities.
Her deepest commitment was to her family "who rise up to call her blessed." In addition to her cherished husband, she is survived by her daughters Jan (John) Neece and Kelley (Jody) McBride; her grandchildren Ryan McBride, Faith Neece, Brady McBride, and Bennett (Sarah) Neece; her sister Doris Hastie; her niece Susan King Herrick; her great-niece Kristy (Mark) Anderson and great-nephew Josh Dennis; and great-great nephew Lawson.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday, January 10, 2025, at The First Baptist Church, 425 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, Kentucky
The service will be livestreamed starting at 11AM Friday from this page.
Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the church.
Pallbearers are John Neece, Jody McBride, Ryan McBride, Brady McBride, Bennett Neece and Bert Gay.
Honorary Pallbearers are the members of the Agape Sunday School Class and the Milford Neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to First Baptist Church Richmond, the Home Meals Delivery Program or to Alzheimer's Association in Ruby's memory.
The Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
www.cpcfh.com