Ruby Louise Rials

Ruby Louise Rials, 68, passed away peacefully at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center on December 27, 2023. As in life, she was lovingly surrounded by her family.
She was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on May 4, 1955 to Lula Mae Wilson (Singleton) and Roosevelt Stewart.
She graduated from Hazlehurst High School and attended Kennedy King College where she earned a certificate in business. Throughout the years, she worked primarily in the insurance industry, retiring from Argo Group in 2019.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, James Rials, mother Lula Mae Wilson, father Roosevelt Stewart, and sister Brenda McGee-Blake. She leaves behind her daughter Kenisha Luke (Benjamin), brothers Bennie Frank Stewart (Betty) and Henry Singleton, sisters Mary Esper (Willie) and Cathy Esper, sister-in-law Janice Rials, brother in-laws Jerry Rials (Genevieve) and Eric Rials, granddaughter Kendall Luke, grandson Miles Luke, goddaughter Jessika Thrasher (Tyjuan), sister-friend Cassandra Anderson (Barry), and a host nieces, nephews, and treasured family and friends.
To know Ruby was to love her. Her sunny disposition, optimistic, upbeat and spirited personality was contagious. Whether you just met her or knew her for a long time, she greeted you with a smile and welcomed you with open arms. It was fun to be in her presence. She loved to line dance, moving with a smooth grace and elegance with her friends and to the beat of the music. She was an avid reader and maker of the best banana pudding! Her greatest joy was being Mom to Kenisha and grandma to Kendall and Miles. She was their greatest cheerleader and was proud of them beyond measure. She loved her family and friends and cared deeply.
Her faith and commitment to serving her community was evident in her actions. She was a charter member of New Cornerstone Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Mark McConnell and later joined the St. Paul Baptist church under the leadership of Pastor Deveraux Hubbard. She was also a founding member of Amazing U, a small group of women whose purpose is to bring awareness to local organizations by purposely connecting, inspiring, and moving women and others into action. She also served many years on the Tri-County Peoria Urban League Guild.
Ruby, we will love and cherish you forever and continue your legacy.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at St. Paul Baptist Church in Peoria. Visitation will be held at 10:30 am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amazing U or the Tri-County Peoria Urban League.