Ruby Hickox Rhodes, 92, passed away peacefully at her new home in South Carolina Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Originally from Blackshear, she later moved to Florida, as an adult, where she raised four children and later became a grandmother and eventually a great-grandmother.
She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She led the family with her strong faith and love for Jesus which was evident in her daily life. She was kind, caring and compassionate and would help any person or animal in need. She enjoyed music, dancing, gardening, movies and doing puzzles, but, her favorite activity definitely was spending time and making memories with her grandchildren.
“We will miss her kind spirit, her positive, happy personality, her comforting and encouraging hugs, her fabulous sense of humor and wonderful belly laughs and so much more,” said her family.
She was born August 5, 1930, to William Walter and Ida Belle Altman Hickox. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Milton O. Rhodes; her daughter, Donna Lissie Shanks and her eight siblings, Mollie Elizabeth Hickox, Macy Colisty Hickox, William Hyson Hickox, Wilma M. O’Quin, Leroy Eugene Hickox, Lissie Belle Carley, Arnie Wilson Hickox and Wilbur Vernon Hickox.
Survivors include two daughters, one son and one daughter-in-law, Deborah C. Shanks and Renae M. Dowling, both of Little River, SC and Ed III and Patsy Klein, Crawfordville, FL; six grandchildren, Lauren Alene, Collin Reid, Brooke Lynnae, Ashton Riley, Nicole Kathleen and Eddie Klein IV; four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jayla, Brody and Lucious; a sister-in-law, Lenora Rath, Jacksonville Beach, FL; nephews, Darrell Merculieff (wife, Shirley), Ocala, FL and Roy Hickox, Hortense; nieces Sharon Cellemme, Powder Springs and Freida Jacobs, Waynesboro and numerous cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, from the Ocean Park Baptist Church, 402 16th Ave. South, Jacksonville Beach, FL with Pastor Chris Partyka officiating.
Following the service, the family will travel to the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home, located at 659 Main Street, Blackshear, for visitation/viewing from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, for her family and friends who live in Georgia.
Interment will follow at High Bluff Cemetery in Brantley County.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
