Ruby was born in Amarillo, Texas, on April 15, 1927, and graduated from Stinnett High School where she met the love of her life, John Oates. They were married on September 3, 1949, and moved to Austin, Texas, to begin the journey of their 69 years together. In between raising three children, Ellen, Jay and Jack, she managed to run an immaculate home where she did all the cooking, cleaning, sewing, shopping and yard work. She always made time to help her children with their homework and made sure they got nightly baths and tucked into bed lovingly. She joined a garden club where she won numerous blue ribbons for her artistic flower arrangements and table decorations. After the children left the nest, she took up needlepoint where she created masterpieces of complicated stitches and aesthetic pleasures. In December of 2019, she moved in with her daughter to spend the remainder of her life. She peacefully crossed over on April 9, 2021. She almost made it to her 94th birthday.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents: Elba Larkin Stevenson and Edris Mae Packnett, brothers: Elba “Sonny” Louis Stevenson, Jerrel Dean Stevenson, Edward Bulen Barnes, sister: Leona Jean Stevenson Ashley, son: John Charles “Jay” Oates, and beloved husband Curtis John Oates.
Surviving members of Ruby’s legacy are her daughter: Ellen Ann Oates Carlisle and life partner David Ward, and son: Jack Stevenson Oates and wife Andrea. “Granne” was blessed with three grandchildren: Billy Cecil “BC” Carlisle and wife Diamond, Colby John Oates and wife Amanda, and Abbott Alice Oates. She has 4 great grandchildren: Asher Caiden Carlisle, Remy Cora Carlisle, Addalyn Jaye Oates, and Aubrey Kate Oates. Ruby has one surviving sister, Elaine Standish.
Due to Covid concerns, there will be no public viewing or ceremony. Graveside service will be on April 15, at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Stinnett, Texas.
An extended thank you to the Encompass Hospice team, who kept us all grounded.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18