Ruby Radford 101 of Buchanan died peacefully at home on June 24 and went to be with her Lord. The eldest of six children born on October 25, 1922 to the late John and Grace Anderson, Ruby grew up on the family farm in Rural Arkansas. There she learned values of faith, hard work, generosity, and kindness which guided her throughout life. In 1939 she married the love of her life William “Bill” Radford. Shortly thereafter Bill joined the Army Air Force, serving 3 years in the Pacific during World War II, while Ruby did factory work on the Homefront in support of the war effort. Following the war like many of their generation, Ruby and Bill moved north for better economic opportunities, settling in Buchanan which became her hometown for over 75 years.
Ruby worked many years in the offices of the Clark Equipment Co., and was later employed as an Avon representative, but first and foremost she was a homemaker. Ruby’s kitchen was open to everyone and always filled with good conversation, laughter, and delicious homemade food. Ruby was a longtime member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Buchanan. A devout Christian known affectionately as Aunt Ruby by many fellow members, she faithfully attended services as recently as last week. Ruby also participated in exercise classes at the Buchanan Area Senior Center past the age of 100 where she met many wonderful people.
In addition to her parents and husband Bill, Ruby was predeceased by daughter Patricia Medlar and siblings Earlene Phillips, Norma Prince, Oscar Anderson, and Martha Wagoner. She is survived by son Jack McClellan, grandchildren Shauna Aquino and Gregory Bingham, sister May Kendall, sister-in-law Nona Myers, brother-in-law Bill Wagoner, many loving nieces and nephews including Clara Bennett who checked on her daily and escorted her to church, many wonderful friends like fellow centenarian Geneva Swem and Joyce Rouse who visited her daily and good neighbors including the Leiter and Dill Families who lived next door for 70+ years.
Ruby was a positive and inspiring presence in the lives of many and will be greatly missed. Truly a life well lived!
The family requests that those making memorial donations consider First Missionary Baptist Church 925 Chippewa Str. Buchanan Michigan 49107 or the Buchanan Area Senior Center 810 Rynearson St. Buchanan, MI 49107.
Arrangements have entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, 414 E. Front Street Buchanan, MI. Visitation will take place on Friday, June 28, at 11:00am at Hoven Funeral Home. Service will begin at 1:00pm officiated by Pastor Wayman Bond from First Missionary Baptist Church, followed by internment at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan.
Posted On: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 4:06 PM
