Ruby Jean Watkins (nee’ Hagy) passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her home located in Richmond, Missouri on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Ruby was born in Quinwood, West Virginia on August 15th to Albert (1897 – 1946) and Ina (1899 – 1992) Hagy.
She was the youngest of 6 children. Her father worked as a coal miner and developed black lung disease, passing away when she was just 7 years old. Ruby attended Crichton High School and was a majorette performing with the marching band. After graduating in 1957, she moved to Ohio and began working as an office assistant for a manufacturing plant. While living in Ohio, she met and married James Hobert Watkins. The couple moved to Richmond, Missouri in 1962 and began their family which included two sons, Timothy James and James Hobert and one daughter Kelli Rene Watkins. Ruby put her children first always and sacrificed daily to ensure they were cared for. She began driving a school bus for the Richmond School District and Fowler Bus Company in 1976 and continued her twice daily bus routes until 1993. Ruby was well known for her culinary and baking skills throughout Richmond. After operating her own restaurant “Jim & Ruby’s”, she was recruited by The Dukes II restaurant in Richmond where she continued to impress and feed those around her. Ruby began working at Shirkey Leisure Acres in 1984 where she became a Certified Nursing Assistant as well as a Certified Medication Aid. Ruby worked overnights for 36 years, missing only 3 days of work in total. During her time at Shirkey’s, she made many lifelong friends and provided exceptional care for the residents she was responsible for. Ruby also provided in-home care for a very special friend until she passed away in 1998. Ruby very reluctantly retired as a result of the COVID pandemic. Ruby continued making her incredible pies for her friends and family for birthdays and holidays well into her retirement.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Ina Hagy, brothers Arden James Hagy and Dennis Paul (Bucky) Hagy, sisters Millie Nowell and Sylvia George.
She is survived by her children Tim (Vickie) Watkins of Kansas City, James Watkins of Richmond, and Kelli (Steve) Watkins of Polo; one sister Louise (Frank) Peglar of Ohio; grandchildren Nicolas Jenkins, Arissah (Rashadd) Price, Blaine Watkins, Caitlin Fox and Jedidiah Watkins; great-grandchildren Isabella Jenkins, Omar Price, Trinity Jenkins, Brooklyn Jenkins and Royal Price.
Special thanks to Shirkey Hospice and Palliative Care and Good Shepherd Hospice.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made in Ruby’s name to Shirkey Hospice in Richmond, MO
Visitation with funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with visitation beginning at 9:30 A.M., with services to follow at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in Richmond Memory Gardens. You can share your memories of Ruby with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
