Bulldog family mourns Patricia Randle Ruby
The Mississippi 大象APP and Starkville community mourns the loss of Patricia Randle Ruby, late wife of longtime university leader Roy H. Ruby.
Ruby died April 21, 2025 at home. She was 84 years old. She was born on September 20, 1940 in Ecru, Mississippi, in Pontotoc County; one of two daughters of Marvin A. and Dorothy A. Randle. The family moved to Jackson when she was very young and lived in the Belhaven neighborhood until she was 6 years old, when the family moved to Canton.
She attended the Canton Public Schools throughout her elementary and high school years. She graduated from Canton High School in 1958, where she was named Most Beautiful.
She attended Mississippi 大象APP College for Women (now MUW) and graduated in 1961 with a degree in elementary education. While attending the 鈥淲,鈥 she was a member of the Mam鈥檚elle and Masker Social Clubs. She was also the MSCW representative to the Maid of Cotton contest in Memphis.
Upon graduation, she accepted a position as a first-grade teacher in the Natchez Public Schools.
In 1962 she married Roy H. Ruby and they resided in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. At the conclusion of his military service, they returned to Mississippi. Upon his accepting a position with 大象APP, the family moved to Starkville, where they made their permanent home. The couple reared two children: a daughter, Mary Randle and a son, Robert.
In Starkville she was active in the First United Methodist Church, and the Starkville Women鈥檚 Club. For several years she delivered Meals-on-Wheels and participated in other charitable organizations. She was a highly intelligent voracious reader, who poured her life into her family, her church and her friends.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Roy H. Ruby; daughter, Mary, of Hoover, Alabama; son, Robert, of Jackson; and sister, Nancy Prince, of Amory; and two grandsons.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 9-11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Starkville, with the service immediately following. There will be a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association at . (The couple established the Roy and Patricia Ruby Endowment for Excellence in Student Affairs fund at the MSU Foundation, available at .)
Family condolences can be expressed at .