Mary Ida Ruble (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Mary Ida McElroy Ruble was born March 12, 1936 near Falcon, Missouri. She departed her earthly life Monday, April 3, 2023 in her home near Falcon. At the time of her death she was eighty-seven years and twenty-two days old.
Mary was born to Leonard Arville McElroy and Gladys Clay Hamilton McElroy at Walker Hollow near Dry Knob, Missouri and lived most of her life in Laclede County.
On September 10, 1960, she was united in marriage to Leo J. Ruble. They were blessed with two children, Lynna and Lincoln. Together they lovingly raised their children and enjoyed just over 50 years of laughter, memories and challenges that life has to offer. They ran a dairy farm in the early days of their marriage and later changed to raising beef cattle and sheep. Mary cared for many bottle-fed lambs and calves.
Mary was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed planting a garden each year. She preserved foods for her family, as well as shared some of her crop with others. She was also a fantastic cook and she looked forward to hosting family gatherings in her home. She was well known for her chocolate cake, sweet pickles, and grape juice. She took great pride in her home and used her sewing skills to help decorate by making curtains, bedspreads, and reupholstered furniture. She also made many outfits for herself and Lynna.
Mary was a lifelong member at New Home Free Will Baptist Church. Her church family was very important to her. She was also the piano player, Sunday School teacher and was a deacon’s wife.
Mary was an avid lover of music. She started playing piano at age 12. She also played guitar and accordion. She enjoyed music parties as well as singing and playing music with other talented members of the community. She frequently sang with her sister Faye and performed at many church events and revivals. She particularly enjoyed bluegrass music and watching the Lawrence Welk show on TV.
Mary and Leo hosted many family and friends throughout the years for family reunions, birthday parties, and holidays. They enjoyed the hunters and fishermen that would come and share their wildlife catch with them. Nieces, nephews, and cousins loved coming to the farm to see the animals, put up hay, and swim in the river.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who passed away in 2010; her father-in-law Lannie Ruble, her mother-in-law Ruth Ruble, an infant sister, Mildred Ruth McElroy and a sister, Faye McElroy, son-in-law Randell Lawson, and many brothers and sisters in-law as well as beloved cousins.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Lynna Lawson of Falcon, Missouri; her son, Lincoln Ruble and his wife, Lori of Falcon, Missouri; two grandsons, Lyndon Ruble and his wife, Erica, and Levi Ruble, all of Conway, Arkansas; and a very special great-grand-daughter, Adalynn Ruble, and a sister-in-law Susan Ruble, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mary’s life revolved around God and family. She loved being with her grandchildren as much as she could and was excited to welcome her great-granddaughter. She always looked forward to the summertime when Lyndon and Levi would visit. The memories and lessons she taught her children and grandchildren will live on within them for years to come.
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