The Richmond News, Nov. 28, 2025

Ruby Jean Watkins (nee Hagy) passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at her home in Richmond, surrounded by family.

Ruby was born Aug. 15 in Quinwood, W.Va., to Albert (1897-1946) and Ina (1899-1992) Hagy. She was the youngest of six children. Her father worked as a coal miner and developed black lung disease, passing away when she was just 7 years Ruby Watkins

old.

Ruby attended Crichton High School and was a majorette, performing with the marching band. After graduating in 1957, she moved to Ohio and began working as an office assistant for a manufacturing plant.

While in Ohio, she met and married James Hobert Watkins. In 1962, the couple moved to Richmond and began their family, which included two sons, Timothy James and James Hobert; and one daughter, Kelli Rene Watkins. Ruby put her children first always and sacrificed daily to ensure they were cared for.

In 1976, she began driving a school bus for the Richmond R-XVI School District and Fowler Bus Co. She continued her twice daily bus routes until 1993.

Ruby was well-known for her culinary and baking skills throughout Richmond. After operating her own restaurant, Jim & Ruby’s, she was recruited by The Dukes II restaurant in Richmond, where she continued to impress and feed those around her.

In 1984, Ruby began working at Shirkey Leisure Acres (now Shirkey Nursing & Rehabilitation Center), where she became a certified nursing assistant, as well as a certified medication aid. She worked overnights for 36 years, missing only three days of work in total. During her time at Shirkey, she made many lifelong friends and provided exceptional care for the residents she was responsible for.

Ruby also provided in-home care for a special friend until she passed away in 1998.

Ruby reluctantly retired as a result of the COVID pandemic. She continued making her incredible pies for her friends and family for birthdays and holidays well into her retirement.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Arden James Hagy and Dennis Paul (Bucky) Hagy; and sisters, Millie Nowell and Sylvia George.

She is survived by her children, Tim (Vickie) Watkins of Kansas City, James Watkins of Richmond and Kelli (Steve) Watkins of Polo; and sister, Louise (Frank) Peglar of Ohio. Other survivors include her grandchildren, Nicolas Jenkins, Arissah (Rashadd) Price, Blaine Watkins, Caitlin Fox and Jedidiah Watkins; and greatgrandchildren, Isabella Jenkins, Omar Price, Trinity Jenkins, Brooklyn Jenkins and Royal Price.

Special thanks to Shirkey Hospice and Palliative Care and Good Shepherd Hospice.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made in Ruby’s name to Shirkey Hospice in Richmond.

Visitation and funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with visitation to begin at 9:30 a.m. and services to follow at 10:30. Burial was scheduled to follow in Richmond Memory Gardens.

Share your memories of Ruby with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.