Ruby Henderson (Hartville)'s Obituary
Ruby Elizabeth (Sikes) Henderson, daughter of Emmons and Olive (Deckard) Sikes and long-time Hartville resident, departed this life Friday, January 10, 2014, at Strafford Care Center in Strafford, Missouri, at the age of ninety-one years, nine months and one day. The second eldest of seven children, she was born April 9, 1922, in Denver, Colorado. Ruby lived there the first three years of her life and then moved to Missouri where she would spend the rest of her years in the Hartville area.
Ruby married the late Dwight Harvey Henderson on June 25, 1938, and to this union four children were born. Ruby and Dwight were married for 70 years until his passing in November of 2008.
In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight; sons, John Henderson and Ronnie Henderson; sister, Ruth Christy; brothers, Gene Sikes, Bill Sikes and Walter Sikes; and infant sister, Rosalee Sikes.
Ruby leaves behind a son, Byron Henderson and wife Cathy, of Hartville; a daughter, Beth Simpson and husband Jim, of Marshfield; a daughter-in-law, Judy Henderson, of Hartville; granddaughter, Kim Ferriel and husband Mike, of Hartville; grandson, Kevin Henderson of Grovespring; granddaughter, Shelly Muckerheide and husband Troy, of Kansas City, Missouri; granddaughter Selena Freeman and husband Jon, of Marshfield; granddaughter, Amy Scruby and husband Sam, of Lebanon; granddaughter, Annette Culver and husband Nathan, of Hartville; granddaughter, Alana Kelley and husband Ronnie, of Hartville; great-grandchildren, Mikayla Ferriel; Kevina Henderson; Kaden and Krenna Freeman; Emily and Braden Splain; Grace, Grant and Gensen Culver; Cody and Jenna Kelley; brother, Jack Sikes and wife Shirley, of Sun City, Arizona; brother-in-law, Darrell Henderson, of Hartville; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Ruby was saved and baptized as a young girl. She attended Hartville Freewill Baptist Church for most of her life. She and Dwight attended Pleasant Hill Church for a short time. She later attended Marshfield Freewill Baptist church with her daughter and son-in-law until her health began to decline.
Ruby and Dwight’s life revolved around family and horses. Dwight began breeding, raising and showing Tennessee walking horses in 1946. Though Ruby was always by Dwight’s side, she herself started showing and riding in the mid-1960s and enjoyed doing so for nearly 35 years. She and Dwight were active members of the Hartville Saddle Club. They made numerous trips to Shelbyville, Tennessee to the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration. Together, Ruby and Dwight participated in the South Central Horse Show Association and received many honors with their Tennessee Walking Horses.
Ruby enjoyed gardening and growing their famous red canna flowers, especially in front of their horse barn. Ruby did a lot of canning in her early years. She was an excellent cook and always enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, especially her apple pie and cobbler. In her later years, she spent much time with friends and at family gatherings. Ruby will be remembered by her desire to ‘label’ everything from food, to gifts and photos.
Ruby was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created with her family and friends.
A Memorial to Steele Memorial Cemetery has been established.
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