Ruby Herrera Flores was born in Comfort,Texas on May 2, 1936, the 7th of 13 children born to parents Albert “Tito” Herrera and Josie O. Herrera. Ruby lived 84 joyous years and passed peacefully in her sleep into the Lord’s hands on 2/11/2021. She spent the past few weeks at home dreaming of, calling out to and telling stories about numerous of her loved ones who preceded her into the Lord’s care. She told stories about people, places and things she recalled that were precious to her. She was at peace, looking forward to seeing her “mama” and her “honey”. In fact, her last words were for Nieves, her beloved husband of 63 years who preceded her in death less than two months ago. It was truly a pleasure to witness such love.
Ruby was such a very kind soul and devout servant of the Lord. She was a wonderful pianist, playing beautiful music over decades for her churches, for weddings, for Christmas and other occasions. She brought joy to so many with her talent, and in case you were unaware, she played many songs “by ear” having listened to the music – a true gift.
She was a wonderful mother and mother-in-law, treating all with love and fairness. She was a “mother” to more than her own children, with many in the family considering her to be a mother figure. She was the Godmother to so many of her nieces and nephews, and treasured each and every one. Before her memory started to fail, she was known to pull special dates – birthday’s, anniversaries and the like - off the “top of her head”. With the size of the extended Herrera / Flores family, this was a true feat and showed just how much she cared for others – she was always one to celebrate!
Ruby was also known for creating a home where people would come to gather. She was an excellent cook, was knowns as the “Bean Queen”, and for her Caldo and her Salsa, among many other things. She used any excuse to make a big dinner, and it was common to get a call in the morning to be told “I’m making Caldo, come and eat”. We would ask her “who’s coming?” and she would say “just family”, so it might be 20 or 60! It brought her much joy to visit with those she cared for, and these gatherings helped her to stay close.
She was a ‘gamer’ back before the computer or video games existed. She was a shrewd player of Dominoes and Chinese Checkers. Who hasn’t lost a game or 50 to her? If you played against her, you had to watch closely because she had a sly wit and fast hands. She was also known for some outrageous pranks and would frequently do the unexpected – like chase someone into the house with the water hose to “pay them back” for getting her wet or throwing items with no warning to the person coming in the door. All her nephews knew to be on guard and cherished the joking. She was a lover of life and it was apparent in all that she did. She will be so very missed.
Ruby loved her plants and roses, her birdhouses and her bells. Nieves did much work over the years tending her plants and hanging up birdhouses so Ruby could sit outside and enjoy the beauty of her yard. She loved bells of all kinds and it was common for loved ones to bring her a bell as a token of their travels. All these things brought her much joy and you can’t think of Ruby without thinking about her love of these treasures.
Ruby worked most of her adult life in many different capacities – retail, grocery and education. She spent the last 30 years of her working career with AISD as a truant officer and then as an attendance clerk. In fact, over the years many former students Ruby interacted with would speak to her or the family about their experiences getting “caught” by Mrs. Flores.
Ruby is survived by her children; Joseph N. Flores III and his wife Debra, Deborah E. Ortiz and her husband Benjamin and Carl R. Flores and his wife Marisa; Grand-children, Amanda Martinez and her husband Marin, Benjamin Ortiz Jr., Nicole Flores and her husband Bryan, Caprice Flores and her husband Alex, Zachariah Flores and Faith Flores; 8 Great-Grand-children - Rubi, Abram, Joaquin, Maddox, Dre, Cameron, Ryann and Jade; brothers, Abel O. Herrera and Lloyd O. Herrera Sr. and too many in-laws, nieces and nephews to count. As stated earlier, she was a “mom” to so many that we don’t want to miss naming, so we will name none – you know who you are! Please know you were all important in her heart - all were greatly loved.
Ruby is preceded in death by her husband, Nieves E. Flores, Jr.; parents, Albert “Tito” Herrera, Josie Obiedo Herrera and her siblings, Louis O. Herrera, Blanche Cravey, Paul O. Herrera, Robert O. Herrera Sr., Josephine Parker, Albert O. Herrera Jr., Olivia N. Contreras, Martha O. Herrera, Arthur O. Herrera Sr. and Florencio O. Herrera.
The family wishes to thank the nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center who cared for her in-patient during her COVID crisis - It was a difficult time for all, and we are grateful for the effort the associates made to ensure we had this time; the staff at Legend Oaks Skilled Nursing Facility in Kyle; and most especially Aspen Hospice and Pallative Care, whose staff helped make Ruby’s last few weeks of life those of dignity and comfort – most especially Veronica RN and Tori CNA who provided her primary care, along with numerous other staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the family felt supported and Ruby had what she needed to transition in as much Peace as possible.
Due to COVID restrictions, the family has chosen to offer a “come and go” visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday to prevent indoor gathering. A memorial service will be held at graveside on Wednesday, officiated by Reverend (Brother) Jose M. Garcia, who was the Pastor for Ruby and Nieves for years and has helped this family so much recently during their times of grief. Please see the website for details on dates and times for the visitation and memorial.
COVID recommendations for social distancing and masking will be expected. With all the deaths and critical illnesses already in this family, we do not want to cause a super-spreader event in the midst of our grief. She would not want anyone else getting sick while trying to pay respects. If you are unable to come, please leave a MEMORY to share with the family on the memorial website. Please help us to celebrate the life of Ruby in a safe and loving way.
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