Ruby Nell Chester died January 24, 2019 after a long battle with Pulmonary Hypertension. She was born in Santa Fe, OK on August 1, 1929 to Edmond Eugene and Zella Myrle Gates. Ruby graduated from High School in Iowa Park, TX in 1947. She met her future husband Johnny Ray Chester while attending Harding College in Searcy, AR. They were married in 1950 and moved to Memphis. Ruby was a bookkeeper for a local furniture store until 1959 when they had their first child. After that, she was a homemaker and spent her life helping and encouraging people. Ruby was an active member of the Church of Christ at White Station for 62 years and served in various roles including Bible School teacher, clothes closet coordinator and nursery worker. She prepared food for numerous weddings, funerals and church meals of which her homemade chocolate pie was always a favorite. Ruby volunteered hours and hours of her time to Harding Academy and to the Harding School of Theology. She enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing and tennis throughout her life.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Johnny R. Chester, her parents, her brother Denzil E. Gates, her sister-in-law Flo Gates, and her brother-in-law Roosevelt Spencer.
She is survived by her daughter, Janet Bates (Bruce), of Cumberland RI and son John Edmond (Eddy) Chester (Jeanne) of Memphis and grandchildren Annie Bates, Allie, John and Sam Chester, 2 brothers-in-law, Charles Chester (Betty Jo) of Hattiesburg, MS and James (Jim) Chester (Julie) of Memphis, 4 sisters-in-law, Ruth Balcom (Charles), Hartselle, AL, Joann Malone (George), Olive Branch, MS, Kathleen Spencer, Bay AR, Mary Parkinson (Weldon), Paragould, AR and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Monday, January 28, 2019 beginning at 12 noon until service time. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m.; all at the White Station Church of Christ.
Memorials may be sent to the Church of Christ at White Station, 1106 Colonial Rd, Memphis Tennessee 38117; Harding Academy, 1100 Cherry Rd, Memphis, Tennessee 38117; or to Harding School of Theology, 1000 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117.
