Kersey, Ruby May
Ruby May Kersey, 87, has gone to be with the love of her life, Orville Kersey, in their final resting place. She lost her fight with a kidney disease on June 26, 2010, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
Ruby was born to Charles and Rosa Needs in a farmhouse in West Plains, Mo., on Feb. 12, 1923. She had 10 brothers and sisters: Vernon, George, Fredrick, Orville, John, Dora, Margarite, Juanita, Marie and Omedia. All preceded her in death with the exception of John Needs, of Caldwell, Idaho, and Juanita Roberts, of Sacramento, Calif.
During her childhood, Ruby and her family lived in Missouri, Nebraska and Idaho. It was in Idaho that Ruby's father passed away, which required her to discontinue her schooling at age 13. She and her sisters worked in the fields of Idaho where she weeded onions, corn, beets and strawberries in addition to picking fruit. She also worked in packing sheds and factories; this work ethic and drive to support her family followed her throughout her life.
It was in Boise Valley that Ruby met, fell in love with and married Orville Kersey. He was the love of her life in a successful 66-year marriage. They had two children, Gary and Debra, that they brought into this world in Idaho, while enjoying a life of farming and raising dairy cattle. In 1968, Ruby and Orville followed their son, Gary, to Fairbanks where they built their home and a cabin on the Chatanika River.
Ruby has been the pillar for her family, full of support, always ready to prepare a meal, play cards and board games, and fill lives with love and laughter. Her joy of love for family and friends will live within everyone she has touched, and she will be greatly missed forever. She leaves behind her adoring family, children Gary and Bev Kersey and Debra and Lee Clune; her grandchildren, Cindy and Russ Reason, Dean and Kellie Clune, Shelly and Bruce Henson, Tamra and Gary Mousette and Rochelle and Chris Liedike; her 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a visitation at 7 p.m., today, Wednesday, June 30, at Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
There will be a memorial service at 7 p.m., Friday, July 2, also at Chapel of Chimes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Tanana Valley or the American Cancer Society .
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
Published in Daily News-Miner on June 30, 2010