Ruby O McEwen

On Monday, March 19, 2012 Ruby Oates McEwen age 88 of Birmingham, peacefully slipped her earthly bonds and joined her Lord, her beloved husband and the Communion of Saints in Heaven. Ruby Oates McEwen was born in Dothan, Alabama to William C. Oates and Sarah Newman Oates on November 7, 1923. She married Charles K. McEwen, Jr. on September 21, 1943 while he was serving with the U.S. Air Corps during WWII, they enjoyed 61 wonderful years together until his death in 2004. Charles and Ruby were truly exemplars of the “Greatest Generation”. Ruby was a devout Christian and it was obvious to all who met her that she lived her faith and walked daily and humbly with her Lord. Ruby always placed the needs of others before her own. She and her husband as a team were active in the Presbyterian Churches throughout the Birmingham area and were part of the foundation of Briarwood Presbyterian Church even as it began meeting in a storefront location. Later they helped with “church planting’s” including Faith Presbyterian and her current church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Ruby worked for over 20 years as Corporate Secretary for Cole-Hall Lumber Company and made a reputation for herself as a no-nonsense corporate officer who contributed substantially to their success. She was sociable and quick to make a friend or a convert to her faith. She was very active in the Save-a-Life Ministry and contributed her time, energies, and /or money to charitable endeavors such as the Jimmie Hale Mission and others. Outgoing and always positive she had an active social life. She and her husband loved dancing to Big Band Music at places like the old Cascade Plunge. She enjoyed weekly bridge games and entertaining at dinner parties in her home for her many Friends. Ruby has many friends and family who grieve her loss among us but rejoice in knowing that she is indeed finally at home. May God’s light eternal shine upon her. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, William Wyatt Oates. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Sharon McEwen Yeager (David), Pelham, Al; grandchildren, David William Yeager (Wendy),Athens, AL, Sarah Yeager Thornton (Michael), Cameron, NC; four great grandchildren, Taylor Thornton, Duke Yeager, McEwen Thornton, and Seth Yeager; sister, Charlton Oates Pingle of Utah. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 23, 2012 beginning at 12:00 noon at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel with Presbyterian service to follow at 1:00 pm with Rev. Carl Russel, Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 3504 Teton Circle, Hoover, AL 35216 or Alzheimer’s of Alabama.