Share Ruby Mae Owens's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Please select what you would like included for printing:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Ruby Mae
Owens
March 27, 1915 – July 19, 2015
Obituary
On July 19, 2015, Ruby Mae (Etherton) Owens peacefully passed away at age 100 and ¼ surrounded by her family.
Ruby was born on March 27, 1915, on a self-sufficient, but modest, farm in Southern Illinois. She attended a rural, one-room school for her early education, and later attended Southern Illinois University. In her early career, Ruby taught in three different one-room schools over the course of five years.
On February 17, 1940, she married O. James Owens, who also hailed from Southern Illinois. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Chicago, where they remained for two and a half years. The two then relocated to Southeastern Michigan during World War II, where Ruby worked in the Willow Run Bomber Plant.
Following the War, Ruby had a long career in education. She taught elementary school in the Romulus Community Schools for 31 years.
Ruby is survived by her three devoted children: Judy Leonard, James Owens and wife Rochelle Balkam, and Jane Owens; her two granddaughters: Jennifer (Leonard) Samborski and husband David, and Tara Mathena; two step-grandchildren: Dana Zahn, Chris Zahn and wife Kim; three great-grandchildren: Abigale, Levi, and Amelia Samborski; three step-great grandchildren: Jessica, Christopher, and Connor Zahn; nephews and nieces: Bill and Judy Etherton, Jim Etherton, Ron and Bonnie Casmer, Bob and Georgette Etherton, and Karen Losacco.
She was predeceased by husband O. James Owens (July 1, 1965); son-in-law Robert Leonard (June 8, 2009); grandson Robert Leonard, Junior (November 29, 2002); her parents Grover (September 21, 1952) and Sarah (Gibson) Etherton (January 9, 1977); and all of her siblings: Jewel Etherton (November 4, 1907), Wayne Etherton (August 29, 1997), Opal Losacco (July 25, 1956), Mary Fox (June 9, 1996), Earl Etherton (October 1, 2002), and Florence Casmer (November 15, 1976).
Ruby lived a long and productive life. She was an incredibly caring person who touched many lives, including those of her family, students, colleagues, neighbors, and friends.
A sketch of the first 97 years of Ruby's life titled I Think I've Done Pretty Good! was published in 2014.
Visitation for Ruby will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, from 2 to 8 pm, at the John N. Santeiu & Sons Funeral Home,1139 Inkster Rd, Garden City, MI 48135 (734) 427-3800. Funeral service will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 1 pm, also at John N. Santeiu & Sons Funeral Home.
Ruby was born on March 27, 1915, on a self-sufficient, but modest, farm in Southern Illinois. She attended a rural, one-room school for her early education, and later attended Southern Illinois University. In her early career, Ruby taught in three different one-room schools over the course of five years.
On February 17, 1940, she married O. James Owens, who also hailed from Southern Illinois. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Chicago, where they remained for two and a half years. The two then relocated to Southeastern Michigan during World War II, where Ruby worked in the Willow Run Bomber Plant.
Following the War, Ruby had a long career in education. She taught elementary school in the Romulus Community Schools for 31 years.
Ruby is survived by her three devoted children: Judy Leonard, James Owens and wife Rochelle Balkam, and Jane Owens; her two granddaughters: Jennifer (Leonard) Samborski and husband David, and Tara Mathena; two step-grandchildren: Dana Zahn, Chris Zahn and wife Kim; three great-grandchildren: Abigale, Levi, and Amelia Samborski; three step-great grandchildren: Jessica, Christopher, and Connor Zahn; nephews and nieces: Bill and Judy Etherton, Jim Etherton, Ron and Bonnie Casmer, Bob and Georgette Etherton, and Karen Losacco.
She was predeceased by husband O. James Owens (July 1, 1965); son-in-law Robert Leonard (June 8, 2009); grandson Robert Leonard, Junior (November 29, 2002); her parents Grover (September 21, 1952) and Sarah (Gibson) Etherton (January 9, 1977); and all of her siblings: Jewel Etherton (November 4, 1907), Wayne Etherton (August 29, 1997), Opal Losacco (July 25, 1956), Mary Fox (June 9, 1996), Earl Etherton (October 1, 2002), and Florence Casmer (November 15, 1976).
Ruby lived a long and productive life. She was an incredibly caring person who touched many lives, including those of her family, students, colleagues, neighbors, and friends.
A sketch of the first 97 years of Ruby's life titled I Think I've Done Pretty Good! was published in 2014.
Visitation for Ruby will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, from 2 to 8 pm, at the John N. Santeiu & Sons Funeral Home,1139 Inkster Rd, Garden City, MI 48135 (734) 427-3800. Funeral service will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 1 pm, also at John N. Santeiu & Sons Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees in memory of Ruby Mae Owens, please visit our tree store.
Ruby Mae Owens's Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors