Extracted from The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Thursday, April 7, 2016

Ruby Gay Dukes

Pleasant Hill

“Ain't she a dandy,” was a familiar phrase we heard from our brother, Gary, when he talked about Mama.

Ruby Gay Ainsworth Dukes went to be with her Lord April 4, 2016. She was born in Pleasant Hill Mississippi on October 7, 1934 to Sang and Banie Ainsworth. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son; Gary Dukes; and her husband of 23 years, John H Dukes. She is survived by her loving children, Dana and Skelly Strong, Vickie and Howard Hammons, Paula and Scotty Watts; and her grandchildren; Matt and Lisa Hammons, Kaitlyn Hammons, Jon Strong, Will and Jake Watts. She liked to say she was Mama's baby. She was the youngest of 18 brothers and sisters. Her last living sibling, Gladys Martin, of Magee, will be 104 in October.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 7, 2016, at the Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Raleigh, Mississippi from 5:00 to 9:00. The service will be Friday, April 8, 2016, at the funeral home at 10:00am. Burial will follow at the White Oak Cemetery in White Oak, Mississippi.

There are so many stories that have been told about Ruby Gay. She has had numerous quotes that she has passed down to her loved ones. Matt said, “Sometimes Mamaw needs a mute button you can push.” She usually said what she thought and you always knew where you stood with her. There wasn't much she couldn't do. She participated in the National Tobacco Spitting Contest in her younger days at Raleigh. Growing up with her mom dipping snuff, she didn't think one thing about chewing and spitting tobacco. She kept a loaded 410 by the door in case a predator came by to mess with her chickens or a tomcat was on the prowl she didn't like. If you were on her turf, she had her own set of rules.

She loved being outside and working in her yard. She was a great entertainer in her love of music and stories. There was never a microphone she didn't love. When she was driving with Kaitlyn, they were singing the old country music songs. She would tell you to be quiet so she could listen. Growing up with her, she loved waking you up on Sunday mornings to the Gospel music she loved so much. She loved playing the piano and singing. Her vibrant and colorful personality made her truly special and remembered. If you were one of her family members or around her very much, she won the award for the bossiest.

In her last years at Summerland Manor she enjoyed the pampering and care she was given. Her fingernails were painted for the first time and hair was always fixed. The family saw another side of her they have never seen. She was also competitive with her word puzzles and coloring. The family wants to thank them for the love and care she received.

Reading the Facebook quotes, she was described as loving, wonderful, one of a kind, a mess, joy and what a fine lady. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.