Ruby Nell Takeda

It is with great sadness that the family of Ruby Nell Takeda announces her passing on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Ruby was born on August 7, 1936 into the loving home of Robert Lee and Meda Hill in Hollis Arkansas. Sisters Aliene Hill Morton and Pauline Hill McCuan awaited the arrival of their new baby sister with the family later expanding with the arrival of four more siblings Johnny Hill, Cleta Hill Porter, Joanne Hill Bolding and her baby sister Carol Hill Walls.

Ruby‘s early years were spent on the family Homestead, helping her grandparents, parents, siblings, and aunt and uncles work the land. It was a hard life, but filled with love and happiness. Her favorite memories were playing with her cousins AnnaMay and Geneva Hill and of course her sisters. Later moving off the Homestead the family settled in Perryville followed with other moves to the Gould/Dumas area of Arkansas. While attending Gould high school she met her first husband Leon Gray. Leon joined the United States Air Force and the young couple moved to Palm Beach Florida. Ruby‘s love for the beach was fostered during this time. It stayed a favorite vacation spot throughout her entire life. The couple welcomed their only child Susan in 1956.

Susan being an only child was Cherished by family. Ruby ensured Susan’s life was filled with love, happiness and that her every need was met. She supported everything that Susan wanted to experience even if it meant Ruby herself had to make sacrifices. It was Susan’s privilege to help Ruby navigate the last few years of her life, for there were many unforgettable moments.

In 1958, Ruby and Susan moved to California to rejoin Ruby‘s family who had migrated to California’s Central Valley as so many others. They settled in Orosi, where Ruby was hired by Gladys and Earl Martin at Earls Café. She worked for them and subsequent owners of the Packing House Restaurant and Salinas’. Ruby used to say she went with the building. Later she waitressed at the Redwood Inn and Safari during the ownership of Stan and Lenore Kalendar. She also spent some time at Perkos in Dinuba. Ruby‘s strived for perfection. If you did something, you should always do it right. This philosophy ensured her reputation as the best waitress around. She received many written, thank you notes from customers which she cherished and saved

Family was Paramont in her life, her parents, siblings, child, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces, and nephews were foremost in her thoughts. Susan, graced Ruby with two grandchildren whom she adored. Joey and Jaime were loved and spoiled by Ruby as she supported their every endeavor, including football, volleyball, basketball, track, softball baseball, 4H and FFA. She was a constant at their games and activities,

Ruby married Joe Takeda on March 20, 1989 in Reno Nevada. They built their home in Orosi on the Citrus Ranch where they farmed and merged two loving families. Ruby made a warm and welcoming home for her new husband and lavished him with her exceptional meals. Her skills in the kitchen were well known and the envy of other family members.

When the great grandchildren started arriving, Ruby experienced a new level of elation. She called them her babies. Again, she showered them with love as she had their parents and attended as many activities as possible. Her actions ensured they knew how special and important they were to her.

The family would like to send PALM VILLAGE retirement community a heartful thank you for the care and commitment staff during Ruby's 15 month journey of loss with dementia

Those family members who preceded her in death included her parents Lee and Meda Hill, sisters Aliene Morton and Pauline McCuan, brother Johnny Hill, nephews Larry Morton, Jim Takeda, Don Morton and Ricky Morton nieces Karen Chance and Donna Pace. Surviving family are husband, Joe Takeda of Dinuba, daughter and son-in-law Susan and Joe Ervin of Dinuba, Grandchildren Joe and Nicole Ervin of Dinuba, Jaime and Lance Bigham of Sanger, Great grandchildren Madison Bigham, Morgan Bigham, Wyatt Bigham, Skyla Yates, Emilyn Elick and Klaryce Ervin. Sisters, Cleta Porter and husband Jimmy of Oakhurst, Joanne Bolding and husband Jim of Santa Clara, Utah and Carol Walls of Fresno. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service to honor the life of Ruby on January 2, 2025, at 11:00 am at Dopkins Funeral Chapel in Dinuba at 189 South J Street. Immediately following there will be a graveside memorial at Smith Mountain Cemetery at 42088 Road 100 Dinuba Ca.