Ruby P. White, 102, of Kansas City, KS, passed away surrounded by her family after a long and fruitful life Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Providence Place in Kansas City, KS. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, January 3, 2018 at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Street, Lenexa, KS. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Friday, January 4, at First Southern Baptist Church, 8127 Ella Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66112. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to First Southern Baptist Church.
Ruby was born January 31, 1916 in Richmond, Missouri. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1934. She moved from Richmond to Kansas City Ks, in 1934 where she met her beloved husband Walter White. She started her family there, was baptized at Chelsea Baptist Church, and along with Walter became a charter member of First Southern Baptist of Kansas City, KS. Ruby’s joy in life was her family, her church, and the friends she made being “Ruby Doo”, the nickname she achieved from being high spirited and active in everything she did.
She began her working career at Russell Stover’s Candy. She served 25 years working in Admissions for Kansas University Medical Center. She was active through her church work at First Southern. She taught Sunday School, was a member of the choir, was an active participant in the Women’s Missionary Union and cooperative missions; and she started an activities group with her church friends call Club that did various Christian charity initiatives in Kansas City, KS.
Ruby was an avid Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan and was honored by the team, the University, and its fans at Allen Field House in 2017. At 101, she was thrilled to join the team at a pre-game practice, and she got a standing ovation for being a centurion and a great fan from 16,000 of the Jayhawk faithful who attended the game at Allen Field house with her. There followed many news articles, interviews, and thousands of touchpoints through social media. People were amazed at seeing and witnessing her “centurion fan spirit.” This made her feel fulfilled and honored, and after which, she said; “this was as good as my 100th birthday party with my family and 300 dear friends. I’ve lived a great life!”
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Walter White, her father and mother, Jack and Rose Beary, her sisters Juanita Wade, Pauline LeGalle, Maxine Landis, Roseanna Fearing, and Francis Griffin. She is survived by her sister Bonnie McCaulley of Richmond, Missouri.
She is survived by her family; her daughter Susan White, her sons, Gordon, Barry, and Lyle White, and their wives Murle, Sandy, and Barbara. Her grandchildren Jodee, Tim, Adam, Cory, and Logan; great grandchildren Paige, Barbara, Emily, Jacob, Ben, Annabelle, Patrick and Rob; great, great grandchildren Anna and Isaac.
The family wants to sincerely thank Providence Place and their staff for the excellent care and attention that was given to Sweet Ruby during her stay there.
Ruby will be dearly missed by her family and all those fortunate enough to know her, as she lived with “Amazing Grace.”