Ruby Pauline Edens

Ruby Pauline Edens was born August 1, 1914 in Joplin, Missouri. She was the daughter of George Henry and Wilma Lea Borden. Ruby was raised and attended school in Joplin, graduating from high school in 1932. Ruby continued to reside in Missouri for a few years after her graduation and then moved to California in the late 1930's.

While residing in the Los Angeles area, Ruby worked as Rosie the Riveter during World War II for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Answering the call of her country to fill positions left by the men going off to war, Ruby accepted employment building aircraft needed for the war effort. Upon completion of the war, Ruby like thousands of other women left behind her rivet gun to return to homemaking. She was married to John Henry Edens on May 6, 1948 in Los Angeles. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to North Long Beach where they raised their three children, Paul, John and Garda.

Having been raised in the church during her childhood, after her marriage, Ruby rededicated her life to the service of the Lord, working along side her husband in his role as an associate pastor. They served together in churches in Sioux Falls, Idaho, San Leandro, California, Farmington, New Mexico and finally back in San Leandro. After John's retirement, the couple returned to her husband's hometown of Coffeyville, Kansas. John and Ruby moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma on September 16, 1992 and immediately became involved with the First Assembly of God Church. Ruby loved going to church and spending time with her brothers and sisters in Christ. You could count on John and Ruby being in church just about every time the doors where open. This allowed Ruby to continue to serve her Lord and Savior, along side her husband, even as his health diminished. John preceded Ruby in death on November 17, 1999.

Ruby continued to remain active in the church after the death of her husband. She enjoyed baking pies and provided them for many church dinners and functions. Ruby passed away on Friday, March 19, 2004 at the St. John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of eighty-nine years, seven months and eighteen days. In addition to her husband, Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, George Borden; and a son, John Stephen Edens.

Ruby is survived by her son, Paul M Edens of Spokane, Washington; daughter, Garda LaDeane Rossewing of San Diego, California; sister, Opal Ruth Borden of Springfield, Oregon; brother, LeRoy R. Borden of Justin, Arkansas; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews including, Dan and Anna Edens of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 pm, Tuesday, March 22, 2004 at the First Assembly of God Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma with Pastor Dan Edens officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the Robbins Cemetery, west of Coffeyville, Kansas under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Ruby Pauline Edens at www.chapman-black.com.