Ruby Lee McKinney, 90, of Mountain Grove, Mo., departed this life on Oct. 28, 2016, at Riverview Manor in Ozark, Mo. Ruby, daughter of the late Andrew Earl and Velma Agnes (Owens) Barnett, was born Aug. 7, 1926, in Norwood, Mo.
Ruby grew up on the family farm and attended Blanchard School. She was the oldest of five children and a member of Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church. On Aug. 17, 1946, Ruby was united in marriage to the love of her life, Junior Wayne McKinney. One son was born to this union.
She and Wayne started their married adventure in Mountain Grove before buying a farm in Norwood. They would then move to Kentucky during the summers for a high paying job at a nuclear plant. It was in Paducah, Ky., that their son, Terry, was born. Later, the work for the summers moved to Kansas City. In 1955, they returned to their new home they had built on their farm. In 1977, they made a full circle returning to Mountain Grove where she lived until the time of death.
Ruby was giving of her time, ready to help when needed. She was a volunteer for a number of years at the Crisis Center, took her turn in the kitchen at the Mountain Grove Christian Academy. She was Wayne’s biggest political fan and was known for her homemade pies. She was a competitive game player; she always liked to win. Ruby was scrapbooking long before it became a popular thing to do. She filled book after book with clipped newspaper pictures and articles, snapshots of family and friends, political figures, invitations, Christmas cards from presidents, etc.
Ruby attended the First Free Will Baptist Church of Mountain Grove. Ruby will be fondly remembered as a loving daughter, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and a caring neighbor and friend. Her family and friends will greatly miss her.
Because of her love for missions, contributions can be made to missions at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Mountain Grove.
Besides her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne on Oct. 26, 1983; great-granddaughter, Madison Dawn Greer; sister, Mary Eileen Dorris; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Barnett.
Ruby is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Jeanette McKinney of Saddlebrooke, Mo.; two granddaughters, Amy Gonzales and husband, Martin, of Littleton, Colo., and Sara Greer and husband, Steven, of Ozark, Mo.; four great-grandchildren, Ethan and Bailee Gonzales and Ashton and Peyton Greer; one brother, Jack Barnett and wife, Bonita, of Norwood, Mo.; two sisters, Barbara Bandy and husband, Bob, of Norwood, Mo., and Earline Moore and husband, Joe, of Mansfield, Mo.; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald Turner and the Rev. Jerry Pinkerton officiating. Darrell Bandy, Jerry Dorris, Steven Greer, Martin Gonzales, Peyton Greer and Ethan Gonzales served as pallbearers. David Hutsell and Larry Shafer served as honorary pallbearers. Song selections were “Some Day,” “Through The Storm” and “How Great Thou Art” rendered by Sara Greer, Amy Gonzales, Terry McKinney, and Joe Golden with Marilyn Lawson serving as accompanist.
The family requests memorial contributions to go to the First Free Will Baptist Church missions c/o the funeral home. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove.
Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.