Ruby Lee Watkins

Ruby was a civic-minded individual who cared deeply about her community, having served as a precinct chair for Tarrant County Precinct 2147 for many years. She was a world traveler for much of her life and always dove headfirst into the history of wherever she visited. With love and a knack for genealogy, she could talk about far-reaching branches of her family tree for hours on end. She was truly a fascinating individual whose interests stretched far and wide. Ruby was also a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and lived her life as such.

Through strength, determination, and an open mind, Ruby overcame lymphoma in 1984 (without radiation or chemotherapy). Thanks to the Simonton method and switching to organic foods - she never had a relapse. Graduating from Ardmore High School in 1942, Ruby continued her education at the Harris School of Nursing. That decision led to a decades-long career as an RN and allowed her caring nature and generosity to thrive.

During WW2, she married Richard Gavette. Between WW2 and the Korean War, the two worked together at The Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Later, she worked as a psychiatric nurse at the USPHS Hospital in Fort Worth. Richard, who suffered from PTSD from his experiences as a Navy Medic in Korea, died in 1969. Years later, Ruby married Kirby Watkins - a USAAF veteran and math instructor at UTA. At the height of the polio epidemic, she worked at John Peter Smith Hospital with her sister, Pauline, in the Polio department. She will be missed, but her stories and life will never be forgotten.

Ruby was preceded in death by her; husband Kirby, parents Lucius and Viola Larrabee, sisters Pauline Loflin and Hazel Fulgham, and her nephew Bill. She is survived by her nephew and nieces, Bill and Terri Loflin - their children Robby and Daniel (and his children, Connor and Lucy), Jan and Les Acker, Karen Crume, her children Blake, J.B., and Heather, as well as numerous other great-nieces and nephews.

The Family is very grateful to the personnel at First Watch Home Care, Encompass Home Care, and Hospice for their kind, generous, and loving care provided to Ruby.

Ruby will be laid to rest at Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Gravesite service at 2:30 pm, preceded by a short viewing at 2:00 pm.