Ruby McManus

1923 - 2014

Ruby Nell Gann McManus passed away March 13, 2014 in Atlanta, GA.

Voted Most Popular Girl in her West Frankfort, Ill graduating class of 1941, Ruby lived up to her title, being the most popular girl and making lifelong friends wherever she landed.

Ruby was born December 2, 1923 in West Frankfort, Illinois to Opal and J. Gus Gann, their third and last child. She grew up on Lindell St. with her sister Anna Lois and brother William Gann. Her grandfather Joseph Brown founded the West Frankfort Methodist Church.

Ruby attended McMurray College on a music scholarship with her excellent rendition of DeBussey's Clair De Lune. She then transferred to the University of Illinois, graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor's degree in Education Science.

She connected with fellow West Frankforter Eugene F. McManus, who helped her get through an Accounting class. They began dating and on October 15, 1945 they eloped. After graduation they moved to Washington D.C. before moving to Detroit in the early 1950's. Ruby and Gene had their three children in Detroit – Gregory Dean, Jeffrey Gann and Andrea Gene, all of who survive her.

In 1958 Gene got a job in San Francisco and off they moved, settling in the small town of Woodside. In 1966 Gene got a new job in Atlanta and off they were again, settling in Marietta. In 1972 Gene got a new job and off they moved to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where they retired. Ruby spent many wonderful years in the house they built on Litchfield Plantation.

Gene, her husband of 52 year as well as her brother William Gann predeceased Ruby.

Ruby's survivors include her son Gregory Dean and his wife Kathy and their three sons, Greg Dean Jr., Alexander Ayer, and Karl, and her great grandchildren Greg Dean III and Chloe. Also surviving are her son Jeffrey Gann and his wife Joy and their daughter Kylie Ann, and Ruby's daughter Andrea Gene, husband John Brinkworth and their daughter Mackenzie Gene, her sister Anna Lois Aiken of Benton, and Anna Lois's children, William Gordon Huff of Benton, Jane Ann Aiken and Jaime Aiken. Ruby's cousin Shirley Ramsey and husband Blaine, as well as her companion William Gamble also survive her.

Ruby was the life of the party, and everyone will miss her.