Ruby Beaver

Ruby Gay Beaver, 77, Neosho, Mo., died Saturday morning, April 13, 2024.

Born December 17, 1946, in Oswego, Ruby was the daughter of Daniel Speck and Jean Rupe Speck. Ruby was the oldest of three children. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Joy Dale Speck, and her sister, Linda Lea Speck.

Ruby and Alfred Beaver were united in marriage July 25, 1965, in Oswego and made their home in Rose Hill with a few moves before establishing their family in Bentonville, Arkansas in 1971. Ruby and Alfred moved to Neosho, Missouri in 2007.

Ruby was a member of the Bentonville Church of Christ since her baptism in 1971 and has been a member of the Rocketdyne Road Church of Christ since 2007.

Ruby enjoyed babies and was a Bible class teacher for many years before Alzheimer’s disease claimed her memory and ability to continue teaching. Ruby enjoyed dogs, cats, and playing games with friends and family. She sewed clothes for her children for many years including her daughter’s wedding dress.

Although Alzheimer’s disease captured Ruby’s ability to talk and in the last three years it took her recognition of most everyone, Alfred still believed she understood and spent many hours entertaining his bride by talking to her and keeping her updated on everything going on around her always asking her opinion on TV and music and dinner. He was faithful in making sure she ate, even giving her his dessert at nearly every meal and often his vegetables which she loved, and he didn’t care for. Alfred remained with Ruby throughout their marriage, and they greatly blessed their children by making the decision to move to an assisted living facility when it became clear that he could no longer care for Ruby 24/7 safely at home. Ruby’s family was blessed to add many caregivers their list of friends and appreciated that so many took the time to sit with Ruby and chatted back and forth. It never failed to bring a smile to her face to have someone sit and talk with her.

In addition to her husband, survivors include, her children Shawna Beaver Whorton and husband, Rodney of Neosho, Mo., and Jon Beaver and wife, Ashlie of Sherwood, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Samantha Whorton Beeson and husband Bryce, Anna Beaver Whitmire and husband Danny, Braden Beaver, and two great-grandchildren, Andie Beeson and Lucy Beeson also survive.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Ruby’s life and passing was held Thursday, April 18 at 11 a.m. at Rocketdyne Church of Christ in Neosho, Mo. Officiating at the service was Tye Zola, minister.

Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes. com Services are under the direction of Clark Funeral Homes.