Ruby Lorene Fleming

1917 - 2012

Leeton resident Ruby Lorene Fleming, 95, passed on Monday, October 29th, 2012 in her home surrounded by family. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Fleming, a granddaughter Tiffany Fleming, and her siblings, Nancy Hamil and Bud Burford.

Ruby Lorene (Burford) Fleming was born on March 10, 1917. She graduated from Otterville High school in 1935. Ruby was one of the last living graduates of her class. She married Harold Fleming on January 6, 1951, and they made their home in Kansas City where Ruby worked as a Southwestern Bell phone operator for 25 years. Ruby and Harold left Kansas City for the farm life in Montserrat, Missouri. Eventually, they moved to their farm in Leeton, where Ruby resided for the last 35 years. She enjoyed the company of others and kept busy by attending Leeton Christian Church, class reunions in Otterville, eating with the S.O.S. group, and keeping up with other telephone operators in the Busy Numbers group. Each of these social groups was spoiled by Ruby's baking and cooking – her favorite activities. Many enjoyed the coconut cream, raisin cream, and berry pies Ruby made for school fundraisers and the Leeton Fair. Her famous yeast rolls held a secret ingredient of honey from the bees Harold raised. If you visited Ruby at home, you would find her in the kitchen baking or cooking or at her quilt rack.

The art of quilting was one of Ruby's favorite hobbies after retirement. The patterns, colors, and designs are prized possessions of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and special friends. These quilts of all different sizes are a tangible example of her patience, kindness and generosity.

Ruby Fleming leaves behind the legacy of family. She is survived by her son, L. David Fleming, and his wife, Diana and their eleven children, spouses and grandchildren: Thad Fleming & wife Kelly, children: Wyatt and Whitney; Dawn (Fleming) Heckert, husband, John Heckert, children: Caroline and Annabelle; Angela (Fleming) Blackington, husband, Neil Blackington, children: JorDawn, Jordan, and Lauren; Travis Fleming, wife Tricia, children: Bailey, Brooklynn and Brilynn; Robert Fleming, Paige Fleming, David Fleming, John Fleming, Courtney Fleming, Katie Fleming and Katrina Fleming.

A Celebration of Ruby's life will be held on Saturday, November 3rd at Leeton Christian Church in Leeton, Missouri. Visitation will be at 1 pm with the funeral service beginning at 2 pm. A private interment will be held at Knob Noster Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Twin Lakes Hospice or Show-Me Christian Home. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net

As family we all remember and celebrate our moments with Ruby. But most of all we celebrate love: love of a mother to a son, love of a son to a mother, and the love of family.