Ruby C. Pulliam

Ruby Loraine Cale Pulliam, 91, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Augusta Health Shenandoah House in Fishersville.

She was born on July 30, 1934, in Augusta County to the late Gratton Franklin and Margie Mae Campbell Cale.

Ruby was a woman whose life was defined by hard work and a deep love for her family. Raised on her family farm, she carried with her a strong work ethic that shaped the way she lived and served others throughout her life.

She was a graduate of Craigsville High School, where she was on the school’s championship basketball team.

Ruby devoted many years of her career to working as a secretary with Smith’s Transfer. In addition to her professional work, she was an entrepreneur at heart. She owned and operated her own beauty salon, where she found great joy in doing hair. Known for her skill, she took great pride in making people look and feel their best. Ruby also proudly drove the transportation car for Augusta County Schools special education system for over fifteen years, ensuring those students who could not utilize the bus still made it to school. She later enjoyed running a booth at the Antique Mall in Verona.

She was a member of Calvary Assembly of God for over forty-five years in Staunton.

Above all, Ruby cherished her family. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also demonstrated deep devotion to her parents, caring for them faithfully in their later years - a true testament to selfless nature.

Ruby is survived by her sons, Fred Stephenson and his wife, Suzanna, Anthony Stephenson, and Chris Pulliam and his wife, Donna; her daughter, Jan Pulliam; her grandchildren, Grace Stephenson, Steven Downey and his wife Sarah, Rainey; Avana and Stephen Higgins, and Lilley and Riley Hall; as well as a great-grandson, Tyler Downey.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Paige Blakely; her daughters, Sherri Mae Higgins and Eva Lavonne Stephenson; her brother, Judd Franklin Cale; and her granddaughter, Rebecca Stephenson.

Serving as pallbearers will be Stephen Smiley, Kim Sprouse, Wilford Sprouse, Preston Johnson, Larry Wilcher, and Herman Snyder.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Gloria Riley for the compassionate care and kindness she provided.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton with Reverends Kevin Persinger and David Whitesell officiating.

Interment will be held at Miller Memorial Cemetery in Augusta Springs.

A special thanks to Hospice of the Shenandoah for their care and support.

Henry Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.