Ruby Syx Ansley, age 94, of Mountain Brook, Al died on January 3, 2012. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, John Peters Ansley. She was also preceded in death by her parents, W.J. Syx and Agnes Lee Robertson; sisters, Gladys (Glenn) Washington, Edith (Bob) Joyce and brothers, Bill Syx and Ed Syx. Survivors include nephew, John Fosters Ansley of Atlanta,GA, Eugene Baldwin Ansley (Lillian) of Atlanta, GA; nieces, Charlotte Bell of Madison, WI and Edwina Syx of Dallas, TX. Other survivors include her loyal friend and business associate, Sallie Aman, who came to work with her the day after she graduated from the University of Alabama and will continue to operate the business and long time employee for 22 years, Craig Bitnell.
She attended Ensley High School and was the first girl elected president of the student body. She received a scholarship to attend a special session of summer school at Northwestern University. She attended Birmingham Southern College her freshman year. She graduated from the University of Alabama. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. In 1936, she was selected one of the campus favorites in the University of Alabama year book, the Corrolla. She worked with Dean Agnes Ellen Harris and Henrietta Thompson in establishing the University of Alabama, School of Interior Design. In 1954, she was selected to the “Best Dressed Career Women in Jefferson County” by the Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs. In May 1960, she was asked to join interior designers and magazine editors for a week in Nice, France to view the new line of French fabrics. In 1963, she founded her business, Ruby Ansley Interiors, Inc. in Mountain Brook Village where she designed homes in 14 states. She was a founding member of the Alabama Chapter of the American Design Institute of Decorators. She was registered in the Professional Who’s Who and received an award for 40 years of professional service. She and her husband were golf enthusiast and had homes on the Lakewood golf course at Point Clear, Al, the Shoal Creek golf course and at Highlands Falls in North Carolina.
She and her husband were strong supporters of Birmingham Southern College. They established the Ruby and John Ansley Foundation and the Ruby and John Ansley Foundation for the Greater Birmingham Community. She was awarded, in 2003, the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Birmingham Southern College. She was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, The Club, Shoal Creek Country Club, Lakewood Country Club and Highlands Fall Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Graveside services will be held 2:00 on Friday January 6, 2012 in Elmwood Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (879-3401).
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