Ruby Hargis

Ruby Hargis’ joy for living passed into the heavenly realm with her beloved Savior on December 20, 2023. The same exuberance that filled her days with caring for others personally and professionally surely marks her eternal life as well. Born on October 1, 1925, to Lucian and Ruth Turner, and raised by her aunt and uncle, Kate and Bob Lewis in Atlanta, GA, Ruby graduated from Emory University School of Nursing in 1947. Nursing was the perfect professional extension of the care she so naturally gave, enjoying her career until her retirement in 1985.

Ruby is survived by two loving daughters from her first marriage to Dr. Edward D. McDonald (deceased), Cris Milam and Claire Colcord who still wonder where all her energy and determination came from. When not trying to keep up with their mom, the girls married some of Ruby’s favorite people in the world, Kirk Milam and Roddy Colcord, and gave her four grandchildren to expend some of her tireless energy on, Daniel (Holly) and Adam (Paula) Milam, and Katie Colcord Johnsen (Eric) and Tracy Colcord Riley (Pat). Great Gi-gi’s smile was never bigger than when great-granddaughters Edith Milam and Paige and Gwenn Riley surrounded her.

After two miserable failures at marriage, Ruby proved the adage “third times a charm” with Robert P. Hargis. Robert was an acquaintance Ruby made while at nursing school. He often offered to walk or ride the nurses home on his motorcycle in bad weather after their 11pm shift. Unfortunately for Ruby, it was always fair weather and fair weather it was when they married in 1982 and for the 8 years until his death. Robert’s two sisters, Betty Perdon and Virginia Hargis wanted another sister and were certain Robert had enjoyed bachelorhood for far too long. When Ruby and Robert married, Ruby became a third sister and no longer an only child. Ruby knew she’d “made it” when Robert told her he loved her more than his classic, originally owned, 1957 Thunderbird!

Ruby loved her church, participating and serving throughout her life. She took tremendous pleasure out of taking retired church friends on trips; no sooner had they come back than they were asking when they could go again. Ruby’s other favorite pursuits were gardening, financial investing, travel, and entertaining, inclusive of the Super Sippers and the Margarita Gals.

Along with her many friends, three additional folks made Ruby’s life full and complete, Brenda Albright Duke and long-term caregivers, loving companions and women of God, Doris Reynolds and Earlene Starr.

A memorial service will be held on February 19, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to either First Presbyterian Church of Rome, GA or to Angel Express, Inc. (501C3), 23 Ridgeway Dr SE, Silver Creek, GA 30173.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Daniels-FuneralHome.com for the Awsumb family.

Daniels Funeral Home is honored to make this announcement for the family of Mrs. Ruby Hargis