Ruby K. Myers Obituary (1927 - 2009)

Myers, Ruby K. (Robbie) Born Feb. 14, 1927, in Pineville, Kentucky, Ruby passed away peacefully on Dec. 25, 2009, in Surprise, Arizona, at the age of 82. The daughter of Lydia Green Knuckles and Millard Filmore Knuckles, Ruby was preceded in death by her parents and by six of her sisters and brothers: Della Doan, Roberta Thomas, Thomas C. Knuckles, Brown Lee Knuckles, and Franklin D. Knuckles. Ruby also endured the loss of her infant daughter, Patricia Kaye Myers in 1950, her husband, John Stanley Myers in 1965, and her son, John Steven Myers in early 2009. Ruby leaves behind three brothers: Charles C. Knuckles of Michigan, and Dr. James O. Knuckles and Paul Knuckles, both of Georgia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ruby accepted Christ and became a member of Capital Christian Church in Phoenix in 1947. She attended Lamson Business College in 1947-48 and in the years that followed, pursued various other courses of study. In 1972, she graduated with high distinction from Glendale Community College with an Associate of Arts degree. In 1948, Ruby married her beloved husband Johnny, who was serving in the U.S. Army. Ruby was able to join Johnny when he was stationed in Japan in the 1950's and in France in the 1960's. Over the years, they were also stationed in San Francisco at the Presidio and in various locations in Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. During several periods of her life, Ruby lived in Phoenix with her sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Lloyd Thomas. In 1965, after the untimely passing of her husband, Ruby, along with her son Steve, relocated to Phoenix in order to be near her sister and brother-in-law. After settling in Phoenix, Ruby developed a serious interest in and expert knowledge of Native American arts and crafts. This expertise led to a very fulfilling career in the marketing and sale of Native American handicrafts. At various times in Phoenix, she worked for Godber's, Gilbert Ortega, and the Camelback Inn. In Yellowstone National Park, she worked for Hamilton Stores and for the Yellowstone Park Company. While with the Yellowstone Park Company, she served as a dorm supervisor, and she was promoted to gift shop manager. Ruby also worked at the Grand Teton Lodge and in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. An avid reader, Ruby read books on a wide range of topics. She especially liked Louie L'amour and other western authors. Ruby enjoyed music, especially Country and Western, and had a large collection of LP's, cassette tapes, and CD's. John Denver was one of her favorites. Her favorite movies were Dances with Wolves and Lonesome Dove. She treasured her collection of stuffed animals. She loved the bears the best - especially one she called "Gus the Grizzly." Ruby always enjoyed the out-of-doors and had a deep love and appreciation of the beauty and grandeur of nature. She was an amateur geologist and a rock hound. She enjoyed picnics and barbeques and was always ready for a hike. Ruby liked hiking the trails of the White Tank Mountains, and she was proud to have climbed to the summit of Squaw Peak. The photographs Ruby took over the years of landscapes in Arizona and Wyoming demonstrate her talent as a photographer. Ruby had a style of her own. She was usually seen wearing blue jeans, a casual shirt, a tooled leather cowboy belt or Concho belt, pieces of turquoise and silver Native American jewelry, and, now and then, even her cowboy boots. Ruby had a gentle, kind, unassuming manner and an amusing sense of humor. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt as well as a valued friend. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A graveside memorial service will be held for Ruby at the Wickenburg Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2009. For directions, please contact Wickenburg Funeral Home at 1-928-684-2081. You may sign Ruby's guest book at www.wickenburgfuneralhome[email protected] In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Lexington, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40502, (1-800-241-4438) or www.shrinershospitals.org.