Ruby Jewel Smith

Ruby Jewel Smith, 97 of Sunray, formerly of Dumas, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2018. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Sunray church of Christ with Jonathan Zerby officiating and David Mitchell, Ruby's son in law, assisting. Interment will follow at Northlawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Morrison Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends after the graveside service at Sunray church of Christ Fellowship Building. Ruby was born on April 13, 1921, 7 miles south of Silverton, TX on her grandparents farm to John and Esther Mae McClendon. She was the oldest of four children and learned sewing, cleaning and cooking skills at a young age. She was baptized at the age of 13 in a livestock tank in Briscoe County. She met Perry Smith when they were in the 8th grade and began going to 'party games' together and never dated anyone else. They were married July 15, 1939 and shortly after moved to Texas City where all three daughters were born. They lived there for 19 years, moved to Tulia in 1959, and then moved to Dumas in 1965 where they were involved in the ag business and faithful member of First Street church of Christ, They were married for 60 blessed and faithful years. Perry preceded her in death on October 1, 1999. Ruby moved to Sunray in 2009 to be closer to family and was a member of the Sunray church of Christ. Ruby was known by many for her feisty spirit. She was called Grandma by all generations and some great-grandchildren call her 'Pink Grandma' because pink was her favorite color. She was honored to have a great granddaughter, Emma Jewel, named after her. She was fortunate to have been able to attend all her many grandchildren's and great grandchildren's weddings via her 'private pilot' and grandson, Chris Morris. She will always be remembered for her turkey and dressing, fried chicken and homemade pies. She made all her daughters and many granddaughters clothes and crocheted afghans for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry; a great grandson, Tanner Peeples; a great great grandson, Grayson Peeples; and a brother, Cline McClendon. She is survived by her children: Iwana and James Sell of Boerne, TX, Carolyn and David Mitchell of Salado, TX and Genelle and Howard Patton of Sunray, TX; 11 grandchildren: Lauri and Conrad Arnold, Sheri and Phil Tisdel, Jim and Laura Burch, Kevin and Debbie Sell, Debbie and Jon Dodson, Melanie and Rick Crutcher, Cara and Adrian Smith, Chris and Sheri Mitchell, Amanda Mitchell, Lynelle and Chris Morris, and Angela and Dustin Warren; 24 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren; sister BettyJo Dunn; brother, Jimmy McClendon; sister in law: Oleta Smith; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends. A special thanks to her friend and caretaker, Betty Dooley and her 'extra' children, Rocky and Beth Rexrode and Craig and Pam Williams. The family suggests with gratitude that memorials be made to High Plains Children's Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114 or DigIt Bible Camp c/o Sunray church of Christ, PO Box 397, Sunray, TX 79086.