Ruby F. James

Ruby Faye James, age 93, of Waverly, TN, passed away among family and friends on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Magnolia Place Assisted Living. Ruby, a lifelong resident of Humphreys County, was the seventh of eight children born to Era Alice (Bohanon) Hughey and William Thomas Hughey, also longtime residents of Humphreys County.

Ruby dedicated her life to the church, her family, and to serving others. She was a faithful member of the Waverly church of Christ and passionate about enriching the lives of those in the community.

Ruby was in the first class of LPNs to train at the Nautilus Hospital in the 1960s. In 1971 with the support of her husband, she opened the James Developmental Center for handicapped adults, named for their oldest son Gary who was born with Cerebral Palsy. During her twenty-five years as executive director, and with the help of many friends and leaders in the community, she established other local programs including Small Steps/Giant Leaps Preschool, a recycling center, four group homes, and

sheltered apartments. Ruby continued to seek grants and services for individuals with special needs including vocational opportunities with local businesses.

After a brief retirement, she began to research and became aware of senior housing needs within the community. Ruby, along with her loving husband, broke ground on Magnolia Place Assisted Living in 2003. Requests for dementia care resulted in the addition of a secure memory care wing added to the facility in 2012. Twenty-three years later the family-owned facility continues to enrich the lives of seniors, of not only local residents but also for those from across the United States. Surrounded by dedicated staff and family, Magnolia Place would become Ruby's home in her later years. Ruby, along with other supporters, initiated local games for the Special Olympics, the Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer research, and the Humphreys County Civitan Club where Ruby served as a charter member. Among her other civic engagements, she became the first female to be elected to the Humphreys County Commission, serving for eight years.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 77 years, Walter Gerion James, Sr. who fondly recalls their first date to the Mi-De-Ga theater in 1947. She is survived by her four children: Walter Gerion "Gary" James, Jr. of Waverly, TN, Phillip Ray James of Bon Aqua, TN, Sandra James Schofield (Daniel) of Waverly, TN, and Alice James Sanderlin (Michael) of Brentwood, TN. Ruby and Gerion have seven grandchildren: Craig James (Jessica), Sarah Scott (Kevin), Summer Martin (Grant), Lauren Liggins (Joel), Bethany Caldwell(Jonathan), Evan Sanderlin (Sarah) and Spencer Sanderlin (Emma). She is also the grandmother of sixteen great-grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren. Preceded in death by six siblings, she is also survived by her sister, Janie Pruett of Waverly, TN.

Visitation for Mrs. Ruby will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Luff-Bowen Funeral Home in Waverly, beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00 P.M. with Brother Jeff Keele officiating the service. Interment will follow at the James Cemetery in McEwen, TN.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Mrs. Ruby's memory, the family has asked that donations be made to The James Developmental Center in Waverly, TN.

Arrangements are entrusted to Luff-Bowen Funeral Home, 2400 Highway 13 North, Waverly, TN, 37185

or call 931-296-2437. Online condolences may be made by visiting our website at luffbowen.com.