Ruby Bayless

Ruby Joyce Bayless was born November 12, 1913 in Corn, Oklahoma to Jacob P. and Mary Zielke Kroeker and passed away January 2, 2016 at Palm Village in Reedley, California at age 102. A graduate of Southwestern State Teachers College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Ruby began a 35-year teaching career at one-room schools near Weatherford and near her home, and then spent four years at Corn Bible Academy. She continued teaching after moving to Bakersfield, California in 1944. There she married Charles Wendell Bayless on June 29, 1946. The following year they moved to the Reedley area, where Ruby taught at Immanuel Academy, and then at elementary schools in Dinuba and Reedley. After her retirement she was active in volunteer work, including many years’ involvement with the MCC Nearly New Shop in Reedley, Sewing Circle, quilting groups and teaching Sunday school.

Survivors include two sons, Rendy and wife Kathy of San Jose and Bernie of New York City; two granddaughters, Robyn of San Jose and Kristen of San Francisco; one brother, Marvin Kroeker and wife Lily of Reedley; two sisters, Jennie Vogt of Visalia and Loretta Babich and husband Nick of Williams, Oregon; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Kroeker of Hesston, Kansas. Preceding her in death were her husband Wendell, who died in 1994; sisters Esther Warkentien and husband David A., and Edna LaRose and husband Norman D.; brothers Carl Kroeker, Harvey Kroeker, Elmer Kroeker and wife Luella, and Orville Kroeker and wife Alyce; and brothers-in-law and sisters-law Roy Vogt, Grover and Ruth Bayless, Marion Bayless, Elizabeth and Kenneth Rouse, and Glenn and Elsie Bayless.

There will be a viewing at the Dopkins Dinuba Funeral Chapel on January 7, 2016 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 9:00 AM at the Reedley Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 10:00 AM at the Palm Village chapel located directly across from Reedley Cemetery.

Remembrances in Ruby’s name can be made to Mennonite Central Committee at www.donate.mcc.org or mailed to: Mennonite Central Committee, PO Box 500, Akron PA 17501.