Ruby Jean Thornton

Ruby Jean Thornton (nee Chattin) died on April 8th, 2021. She was 77. Ruby Jean enveloped those around her in joy, enthusiasm, and play. She was the person that laughed until she cried, until she held her belly pained from laughing, and until she exhaled an involuntary "oh my" as if to release all her happiness into the world. This, along with her kindness, curiosity, and empathy will leave a lasting impact on those that knew her as a teacher, mother, wife or friend.
Ruby Jean was born in Cullen, Virginia to Harry Chattin, the source of her life-long ice cream obsession, and Evelyn Chattin Hall, her devoted and hardworking mother. When she was four, her father died, and she moved to grandparents' tobacco farm. She was adored by her grandparents, Utha and Buck Carter, and her aunts, Betty, Ruby, Shirley, and Nancy. When Ruby Jean was a teenager, her mother remarried Tom Hall, and she gained a stepbrother, Luke Hall, who she remained close to throughout her life. Ruby Jean Thornton attended Randolph Henry High School where she excelled as a student, class officer, and cheerleader. She graduated from Mary Washington College in Virginia with a degree in English.
Ruby Jean's love of art, literature, and travel led her to a post-college career as an airline stewardess. She was based in New York City when she met Keith Thornton. She fell in love with him despite the "horrible southern accent" that he tried to impress her with upon their first meeting. During their 53 years of marriage they lived in Washington DC, Kansas City, Mo, San Francisco and San Jose, California, and Bath, Ohio, and they had three children, Joshua, Matthew, and Whitney and an honorary son JMicheal Bell, and three grandchildren, Jasper Thornton, Zoe Dunlap, and Carter Dunlap.
Ruby Jean's curiosity, kindness and enthusiasm made her a natural born teacher. She returned to school in her 40s to earn a master's degree in English from Akron University. She truly loved being a teacher, first at the Elms and later at Walsh Jesuit High School where she found a community of teachers that embraced her.
Ruby Jean was so easy to love, and she will be missed by many. Alzheimer's disease made the past few years of her life difficult taking memories, shared passions, and finally words. Yet, Ruby Jean kept her kindness and her joy until the end. Memorial services at Walsh Jesuit Chapel after the COVID dangers have passed. Donations in her memory can be made to any Alzheimer's research or support organization. And please, remember Ruby Jean and laugh with complete abandon. Laugh until your belly hurts. Ruby Jean had a type of joy that she could never bottle. Now it is out in the world.