Ruby Frances Turner

Ruby Frances Turner, 84, of Amarillo died August 6, 2020.

Memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Ruby was born October 10, 1935 in Lawton, Oklahoma to James and Minnie Bowden. She was the youngest of 10 children and began working at an early age, her strength apparent even then.

Ruby married twice, had three children and was a divorced, single mom before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Gerald Turner in 1963. They had a 4th child and in 1969, Ruby and Gerald relocated the family to Klamath Falls, Oregon. Never one to be idle, Ruby took pride in working at Al’s Toy House for over 20 years, where she became the grandma with all the best toys. She became active in the First Christian Church, enjoyed exploring Oregon’s beautiful places with friends and family, and participating in her children’s activities.

Ruby put her family above all else. She was a fierce defender and protector no matter the cause, even her daughter’s right to wear pants to a school that wasn’t ready yet. She took immense pride in all her grandchildren, and regularly told them how proud she was of them, even when they just completed a simple task like getting a glass of water! She showed her family how important they were by a desire to hear everything about their lives, down to specifics on what they had for dinner; nothing was too small a detail, everything was worth note. Her perfect day was one spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, ending with a standing weekly call with one of her longtime friends.

Ruby and Gerald relocated back to Texas in 1995 to be closer to grandchildren. Life was not always kind to Ruby, the loss of two children and her husband was hard to bear, but bear it she did. Her faith and family kept her going, as well as good friends, love of country music, watching mysteries and doing crosswords.

To sum up a life lived such as Ruby’s is impossible, but she will be remembered for her unbelievable strength, indomitable will, bright lipstick, beautiful singing of happy birthday, her neck squeezes (which were a good thing, but sounded vaguely threatening), and above all, her infectious laugh that would burst forth with little provocation and couldn’t help but bring joy to anyone lucky enough to be near.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Turner; son, Kenny White; and daughter, Tina Turner Kyniston.

Ruby is survived by daughters, Patricia “Tricia” Tate (Jeff Schenck) of Eugene, OR and Carol “Susie” Jones of Amarillo; grandchildren, Shantel Pratt and Tara Loveall both of Amarillo, TX and Kelsey Kawders of Eugene, OR; and great-grandchildren, Kenny Pratt, Jeremiah Pratt, Zacharia Morris, Lauren Fernau and Harper Loveall; as well as numerous extended family and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Ruby.