Ruby Hewett O'Brien

Ruby Hewett O’Brien was born January 15, 1936, in Conway S.C. to Norman O. Hewett and Bertha McDowell Hewett. She was predeceased by two sisters, Alama Clewis and Jean Phipps; one brother, Elbert Hewett; and a son, Donald H. O’Brien.

She called many places home: Columbia, SC, Whiteville NC, several places in Florida, Okinawa, Japan, Las Vegas, Nevada, Wichita, Kansas, and Wilmington, NC. Her family consisted of son, Ronald Mintz (Nancy); daughters, Cathy Barber (Steve) and Linda Phipps (Dave Allison); granddaughters, Amy James (Nick), Kayla Yost (Andrew), Allyson Crysler (Garrett), Courtney Mode (Geoffrey) Abby Ganske (Daryk); grandsons, Jeffery Mintz(Jennica), Jason Barber and Kyle Barber. She loved her five great-grandchildren and talked about them often.

Ruby was a member of St. Andrews Baptist Church where she was a member of the Bells and Senior Choirs. She also volunteered at Lexington Medical Center and various organizations over the years. Many things were said about Ruby. She would always sing when happy regardless of the place, believed strongly in family, was lovable and energetic, gave her children and grandchildren many things to remember her by, and that growing up would not have been as much fun as it was without her in our lives. She introduced all of us to Vienna Sausages and Potted Meat, Southern home cooking, and her love of traveling. She never passed a toy-dancing Santa without winding him up. Her friends said she made sure each of them smiled and kept going on with gusto. We know that she is dancing on the tables and singing in heaven. You will be forever missed Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, and Faithful Friend. We will try to live like you said we should.

“For the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter

Far beneath the bitter snow

Lies the seed that with the sun's love

In the spring becomes the rose”