Ruby Jeanne Garner, age 91, of St. Louis, Missouri passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Born in St. Louis, MO on January 18, 1934, to the late Chester and Ruth Short, she married her husband, John Carroll Garner, March 25, 1955.
She was called Jeanne by friends and family.
Jeanne is the loving mother of the late Mike (Debbie) Garner, son Jeff (Katie) Garner, and grandmother to two devoted grandsons, Tommy, and Patrick Garner. She was preceded in death by her sister, Hazel (Ed) Scholl and her adoring husband, John Garner. She was a loving aunt to dozens of nieces and nephews and a gregarious, self-giving, and loyal friend to many.
Jeanne—raised by a father who was a hobo—never met a stranger, shied from hard work, or missed an opportunity to make an impact in a situation she’d sized up. She was quick to witness her faith to anyone she felt needed a shoulder to lean on, a reason to smile, or a fun diversion. She was a cook and helped to organize many church meals, kept her son’s home from school to make Christmas cookies, and made pies with nieces. She preserved jellies, corn, green beans, beets, peaches, and a whole lot more, so that the family—and others—would always have something of quality to eat.
Jeanne was a member of Teamsters, Local 688 and worked as a clerk for many years retiring from ABF. She did not turn away from hard work, manning the 3rd shift for more than three years and serving as shop steward.
Jeanne was selfless, benevolent, caring, and happy. She was a great gift to us all, dropping anything she was doing for a friend or family member in need. She loved to break the ice in whatever way worked best, whether it be a joke, an embarrassing quip, or a disarming observation. She would clean a house, lend you money, sit with a dying friend—whatever it took to get you what you needed. She was sacrificial, waiting on her sons and husband, housing her mother for 30 years, and generally putting all others before herself.
But she knew it wasn’t all up to her; she would famously ask—particularly close family— “Have you prayed about it?” Throughout the last 8 years of her life, when her health declined significantly, she maintained, “God’s got this.” She bravely faced many bouts of life-threatening health events, a tough stay during lockdown at a local facility, where she couldn’t have been more tortured by the prescribed and cruel isolation policy. But God had it. She was resilient in the face of crippling sickness that would have broken many long before it broke her.
Christmases at the Garner home were legendarily HUGE because she liked a party, presents, and to keep her kids at the house as long as possible. Huge food, huge, decorations, huge amounts of gifts. Christmas will never be the same again. She will be forever missed in our lives and leaves an unoccupied space in our lives and the lives of many. Jeanne enjoyed ceramics, pencil coloring, and making floral arrangements for special occasions including weddings. She absolutely adored her family, especially her two grandsons.
She was the most popular 91-year-old in town—Garnering new friends at every hospital and rehab facility she ever occupied. She was affectionate, always hugging a neck or stroking the hand of a friend. She was, in short, a force of nature, one to be reckoned with—one few people could resist. We will never be the same but are better for knowing Ruby Jeanne Garner. We love you, forever!
A visitation for Jeanne will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. Funeral service will be celebrated Friday, June 13, 2025, 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Internment Mt. Hope Cemetery. Donations in memory of Ruby Jeanne Garner may be made to the charity of choice. Afterwards, lunch will be served at the home of Jeff and Katie Garner, 12018 Southwick Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HoffmeisterSouthCounty.com for the Garner family.
