Ruby Downing

Ruby Gillis Downing was born on September 13, 1923, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mattie Jane Holt Gillis. On December 23, 1939, she was united in marriage to Hassell E. Downing, who preceded her in death on June 2, 1982. Ruby departed this life on June 4, 2017, at the age of 93 years, 8 months, and 22 days.

Ruby attended New Pleasant Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Before retiring from Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home in St. Louis, Missouri, where she worked as a nurse's aid, Ruby worked at Samuel Shoe Company in St. Louis,Missouri, and Brown Show Company in Savannah, Tennessee. She loved quilting, gardening, cooking, and going to church. Ruby also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Ruby is survived by her daughters, Wanda French and Sharon Jones, both of Savannah, Tennessee; sons-in-law, Hubert McLin and Larry Powell, both of Savannah, Tennessee; a sister, Edith White of Chattanooga, Tennessee; 11 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and 28 great great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ruby was preceded in death by her sons, Ernest Downing and Larry Downing; a daughter, Barbara Downing McLin; brothers, Bud Gillis and Lawrence Gillis; and sisters, Azalee Hargrove, Marie White, and Fanny Burks.