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Ruby lovingly told Brian, who thought he needed to shave his head completely, to NEVER do this again! After asking him when did a man go bald overnight?
Ruby can always tell me how we are kin and also how I am related to other people. Much appreciated!
Who needs to assign greeters when Ruby is around? No one.
Never ever meets a stranger. If she does meet one, they aren’t a stranger long!
Ruby can always be counted on for a big hug with an awesome smile.
Blake and Madi know if they are delivering Lunches With Love to Ruby that they are going to visit for a while. And they look forward to that.
Brian and Heather McLaughlin
Hi - this is Tom and Ginny Rothery- with some Ruby Thoughts:
Ruby was one of the first people that we met when we got to Crossville over 20 years ago. It was always a joy to go over to Ruby’s and fix things for her or take her some flowers. It didn’t take long to develop a closeness and love for Ruby. She is such a wonderful person. I miss fixing things for her. We love her dearly! Happy Birthday Ruby!!!
Dear Ruby,
We cannot think of anyone we would rather send a Happy Birthday! greeting to than Ruby Wells! You have always been a joy to greet when we would see you! You always let us know how your brother, Ben, was doing. We are so sorry the virus has hampered your birthday celebration, but we will all look forward to being able to celebrate with you when we can. And we wish you a beautiful day for your actual birthday.
May God continue to bless and keep you safe from the virus! We love you!
Ray and Martha Slate
From the very first Aunt Ruby made me feel welcomed into the Wells Family! Her hugs and laugh drew me in!
My favorite Aunt Ruby story is from when I called to tell her that Lawrence and I were expecting our first child. She asked me the due date and I told her April. Then she replied, "Law, Heather! What if that baby is on Wells time and doesn't come until June!?!" It just cracked me up! I told her if that was the case, I'd need a cattle prod for a baby present.
(For those who have married into the Wells family, we have an instant bond over patiently waiting for our men to HURRY UP! For the Wells reading this, take your time. We know you will anyway....)
Love and prayers,
Heather Wells
My husband, George, and I moved to Crossville in 2002. We decided to attend the Main St. Church of Christ as we had visited there prior to moving. Your Mom, "Miss Ruby" was waiting in the lobby for visitors. She made us feel so welcome with her beautiful smile and kindness. We have loved her since that time and she has blessed our lives in so many ways with her faithfulness and positive attitude. 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "MISS RUBY"! You are truly a gem!". Our love & prayers, George & Roberta Folk
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Obituary
Ruby Otis Wells, age 94, of Crossville, TN, passed away peacefully at Cookeville Regional Medical Center on July 1, 2024, with family and friends by her side.
Mrs. Wells was born on April 25, 1930, in Crossville, Tennessee, where she grew up in the Linary community. She was the daughter of the late Albert Kerley and Bulah (Cordell) Kerley.
Ruby was a clerk at Hale's Grocery and a faithful member of Crossville Church of Christ.
She is survived by her sons, Randall K. Wells (Darlene), Danny J. Wells (Nancy), and Gary L. Wells; grandchildren, Philip Wells, Jessica Wells, Sarah Wells, Angela Whitfield (Brad), and David Massengill (Sandra); great grandchildren, Emma Whitfield, Erin Whitfield, Baylor Whitfield, and Casey Massengill; and brothers, Mike Kerley and Lester Kerley, as well as special nieces, nephews and many dedicated friends.
In addition to her parents, Ruby is preceded in death by her husband, Moses Wells; brothers, John Coley Kerley and Ben Kerley; and sister, Clara Moon.
Funeral Service will be held at Bilbrey Funeral Home on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 4:00 PM with burial to follow at Linary Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM prior to the service.
Pallbearers: Brad Whitfield, David Massengill, Terry Stewart, Ron Moon, Dave Beaty, and Ralph Gibson. Substitute: Jonathon Gibson. Honorary Pallbearers: All Nephews, Tony Perry, Isaac Graham, Steve Law, and Jacob Kennedy.
Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Ruby Otis Wells, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Services
Visitation
- Saturday, July 6, 2024
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service
76 E. Adams St
Crossville, TN 38555
DIRECTIONSEMAIL DETAILS
Funeral Service
- Saturday, July 6, 2024
- 4:00 PM
- Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service
76 E. Adams St
Crossville, TN 38555
DIRECTIONSEMAIL DETAILS
Condolences
- Mark Featherston from Nashville, TN, wrote on Jul. 3, 2024Ruby & Moses were a sweet Christian couple. Ruby mourned Moses for many years after his passing yet managed to raise 3 fine sons & remain faithful to her Lord. She loved her family & friends. Condolences to Danny, Randall, Gary & her family & friends.
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There are just no words to express the gratitude that Randall, Danny, Gary and our families have for the cards, the food, the prayers, and the love that has been shown to our dear mother by so many in this community for so many years. She was special to so many and there were so many that were special to her. We can’t thank enough the doctors, nurses, office staff, Quality Home Health caregivers, ambulance drivers, neighbors, church family, nieces, nephews, brothers that have been so dedicated to her throughout the years. People have done so much more than we could ever repay and much more than we ever knew about.When she could no longer get out of the house, you came to her or called her on the phone – OR she called you!!
She never met a stranger, and if she did, they were not strangers for long. She knew who they were related to and where they were from. When I first married into the family, I thought that this was so aggravating, because we could not take her anywhere that she was not dragging Randall over to meet someone that he had no idea who they were. Being the shy one in the family, he was not amused. Then later when these so-called strangers started coming by the house fixing things and bringing food and calling her on the phone, we understood the value.
I would go to the mailbox and there was always a stack of cards for her to read from well-wishers. When she was not able to attend church, she and Gary watched and attended church via the wonders of modern technology – YouTube. She loved being able to have “Alexa” sing “Happy Birthday Ruby” on each and every birthday for the past few years.
My last thank you is to her beloved Boys. They were never men in her eyes – just her boys! They have shown the love and dedication to their mother that is not always common or not always understood.
She is resting now and probably asking all the Angels “now who is your mother and father”?
Love, your daughter-in-law
Darlene
· If I've ever known a saint, besides my mom and dad, it would have to Ruby Wells. Ruby is the mother of one of my school days pals Danny Wells. I spent many days at her house playing around with Danny and crystal radio sets. Later I spent many nights at Ruby's house just because I had stayed too late and would pass out on her couch. She was so very giving, always fixin some of the best meals her boys and I ever tasted. I loved to make Ruby laugh...and laugh she would at my antics and quips. Ruby treated me like one of her own boys and I will always treasure the time I spent at her house as a young man. Ruby was one of the most devout Christians in this town. She suffered the most tragic and life-changing event with the loss of her wonderful husband Moses Wells when they were only in their mid-40's. It took its toll on Ruby-she mourned the loss of Moses every day of her life. I truly didn't think she would live much longer beyond his passing. But I was wrong. What I hadn't counted on was Ruby's trust and faith in her Creator and how only He could carry her on through life. I have no doubt Ruby's commitment to God was returned by God's commitment to her - to give her peace and strength to continue with life. Many would have given up or turned away - but Ruby kept her faith strong and alive for the next four and a half decades. Incredible. Her name fit perfectly - she was indeed a Ruby, one of the strongest precious stones known to man and the Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July - the very same month Ruby took up residency in Paradise. I will never forget the love shown to me by Ruby Wells. She is now at peace-eternally.