Ruby Leoli Rea

Ruby Leoli Rea was born February 26, 1908 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Ozro Wesley and Maude Elnora Taylor. Ruby was raised and attended school in the Yellville, Arkansas area.

Ruby was married to Marion Leonard Russell on May 19, 1923 in Osage, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in the Boston Pool area and then later moved to Cleveland in 1930. They had one son, Jerry and four daughters: Lois, Helen, Joan and Madge. In addition to taking care of her husband and children, Ruby worked at the Quality CafÈ for several years and also worked for Douglas Aircraft during World War II. She also worked for the Alford family at their laundry on east Cherokee in Cleveland for nearly sixteen years. Later she also was employed as a caregiver for the elderly in the Cleveland area. Mr. Russell preceded her in death on December 21, 1958.

Ruby was married on June 8, 1983 to Forrest Calvin Rea in Pawnee, Oklahoma. The couple have made their home on North Division for the past twenty years until for health reasons where required to move into Cleveland Manor Nursing Home. Ruby loved attending Church and enjoyed poetry. She also has made some beautiful quilts.

Ruby passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2003 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of ninety-five years, seven months and twenty days. In addition to her first husband, Ruby was preceded in death by three brothers, Ira Wesley Taylor, Loyd Ray Bedsaul and Troy Bledsaul; daughter, Lois Coggins in April of 2003; and two grandchildren, A.J. Bailey and Randy Young.

She is survived by her husband, Forrest of the home; son, Jerry Russell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three daughters, Helen Young Hickman of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Joan Storm Marsh of Newkirk, Oklahoma and Madge Creacy of Tampa, Florida; twenty grandchildren; fifty-three great grandchildren; and thirty-three great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at the Western Heights Baptist Church in Cleveland with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary, video tribute and guestbook for Ruby Rea at www.chapman-black.com.