Ruby Shirley Noonan

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Judge Lionel Winston Noonan, Sr. She was also predeceased by her parents, Mitchell and Lucinda (Boatwright) Shirley, and all of her siblings, Fred, Clarence, M.D., Tom, Grant and Ruth.

She leaves behind three children, Ruth (Edward) Rutkowski, Dr. Lionel W. (Andrea) Noonan, Jr. and Kelly (Michael) Marrocco and three grandchildren, Dr. Leslie Rutkowski, Vincent Marrocco and Morgan Marrocco.

Ruby attended Ward-Belmont Preparatory School and later graduated from the University of Alabama in 1952. She worked as a Dietitian for Mobile Infirmary, Public Information Officer for Mobile CETA Consortium and Community Affairs Liaison for the Alabama State Docks. Ruby was an elected delegate for the 1976 Democratic National Convention and served on the National Host Committee for President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Ruby was appointed to the Governor’s cabinet and served in Montgomery as the Director of the Alabama Office of Highway and Traffic Safety in the 1980s. Ruby was passionate about several charitable and civic causes. She spent several summers in Baldwin County cooking and caring for the children of migrant workers at La Casa de Amigos Head Start program, a precursor to Ecumenical Ministries. She served on the Searcy Human Rights Committee, on the Board of Trustees for Alabama State University and on the Board for the Alabama Law Enforcement Planning Agency. She was an advocate and fundraiser for The Mobile Exploreum and Blakely State Park along with several other local causes. Ruby enjoyed planning large family gatherings at the beach for her immediate and extended family. At least twice a year the Noonan and Shirley families would gather at the beach. At the center of every great family vacation was Ruby’s cooking. Cooking was a true passion for Ruby. And if you were fortunate enough to have lived near her, you would often find yourself as the recipient of her home-cooked care packages.

The family would like to give special thanks for the excellent care received from the entire staff at Brennity Memory Care. We always referred to everyone at Brennity Memory Care as Ruby’s second family, you all gave her many days of joy and smiles over the past few years. There will be a private memorial service.

In lieu of flowers or other mementos, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Noonan family.