Saltville, Va.

Ruby Ellen Hayes, age 89, passed away at her home on Sunday, November 24, 2024.  Ruby was born September 29, 1935, to the late Elmer and Julia Atwell Thomas.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Dale Hayes; sons, Peter E. Hayes, and Michael Hayes; grandson, Timothy Tripp; great-granddaughter, Asia Hayes; sister, Myrtle Bise; brother, Charles Thomas; special cousins, James "Jim" and Buddy Call.

Ruby was a very Godly woman.  She had a big heart for the elderly and was always helping those that were unable to care for themselves.  She was a very loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Ruby loved children and would often serve as a foster parent.  She was a very strong and independent woman.  She and her cousin Evelyn Coe would regularly go to the stock market and bring home calves and took pride in raising them.  She could drive a tractor, work on the farm, drive a nail when she needed to and perform any task that she took on.  Ruby loved the game of baseball, and she was quite the slugger.  She was an amazing woman with many talents including being a wonderful cook.  She was the glue that held her family together and always the rock.  She was very loved and will be missed by everyone.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Larry Hayes, Jimmy Hayes, and Ted Hayes; her daughter, Julie Hayes; and daughters by choice, Laura Campbell, Cora Lee Tripp, and Cindy Hayes; grandchildren, Joshua Hayes, Jami Layton, Travis Hayes, Gabriel Hayes, Jonathan Hayes, Josiah Hayes, Aaron Hayes, Sherella Hayes, Velenza Hayes, Alexander Hayes, Shannon Nicole Angemi, Jeremy Dale Hayes, Grace Campbell, Katrina Hayes, and Jessica Amber Hayes; several great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Ruby Hayes will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Ridgedale United Methodist Church in Rich Valley, Va. with Pastor Ray Wolford officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Burial will follow at the Ridgedale Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at drhendersonfuneralhome.com. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ruby Ellen Hayes.