Ruby Marie Cox

Ruby was born October 10, 1922, to Eddie May (Russell) and George Washington Little, in Abbeyville, Kansas. They moved to California in 1927.

In her early childhood she moved frequently with her family, from place to place to find work, mostly picking fruit in the central California valley. They settled near Ivanhoe, Ca.

In 1939, at the age of 16, she met and married her husband and future children’s father, Hermond Cox.

Ruby led a varied life with Hermond, making ends meet however best they could. She worked at various jobs, during WWII as a welder in the shipyards in Richmond, CA, did farming, and one of the jobs her children found to be especially funny was working in a Santa Clara cannery, plunking one cherry into each can of fruit cocktail.

After moving from the Central Valley, she and Hermond made their home between the Monterey Bay, Richmond, Sebastapol, and Auburn area until the late forties, where they finally settled for 35 years in the Seaside/ Marina, CA, area.

The fifties and sixties were busy times as they raised their family of six children. Being a mother to her children was her primary role, and later a fantastic and much loved grandmother. She loved dressing up, making a nice home, bowling with friends, having family gatherings with her children and grandchildren. Only three years separated her last child, Gary, from her first grandchild.

Ruby appreciated the great abundance in this life with Hermond. They were a self-made success story, with him working as a contractor and a real estate broker, and she managing the family owned apartment complex. This life was a bold contrast to the impoverished manner in which they were raised. They worked very hard to be sure that her children were spared that life.

They left Marina in 1970 for the Salinas Valley, and from there in 1976, first to Johnson Park, then to the Fall River Valley in early 80s.

In the Fall River Valley, Ruby was involved with the Wayside Garden Club,

Glenburn Church, volunteered at Gallery and Gift and she and Hermond enjoyed Square dancing with Mount Burney Sashshayers. She also enjoyed sewing, crafts, home décor, and especially gardening. Her daughters especially remember their mom helping them to appreciate the natural world.

Ruby is remembered by her family and friends as someone who gave more than she ever received, and was a great comfort for anyone in need. She had a special quality that is best described as “calm presence”, where being around her just made you feel better. A crying baby could be put in her arms and immediately calm down. It’s difficult to describe, but most of those who knew her know what this quality was and felt blessed to experience it.

Ruby is preceded in death by her husband, Hermond Howard Cox, son, Jerry Eugene Cox, two sisters, Opal Rude and Sarah Buell, and her only brother, Jesse David Little. Her surviving relatives are sisters, Virginia Franklin of Eagle Point , OR, Georgie Harris of the Tri-Cities, WA, her children, Howard Cox, Gary Cox and Janice Door all from Fall River Valley, Sharon Peterson of Ft. Bragg, CA and Donna Jacoby of Santa Cruz, CA. She was blessed with 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 3 great great-grandchildren, and a multitude of wonderful friends and extended family who will remember her tremendous love and gentle spirit.

Viewing is Saturday, March 31, from 9 am to 11:30 am at McDonald’s Chapel, 37160 Main Street, Burney, CA, 96013. Graveside services at Pine Grove Cemetery at 1 pm. All are invited to a “party” (as requested by Ruby) to celebrate her life at the Lion’s Hall, McArthur, CA immediately following the graveside service.

Flowers may be sent to McDonald’s Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ruby’s name to the Wayside Garden Club’s Memorial Tree and Community Beautification Funds at Wayside Garden Club, P.O. Box 241, Fall River Mills, CA 96028.