Ruby Barber Obituary

Ruby Jean Harris Barber, age 90, passed from this life on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 28 at Ertel Memorial Chapel with visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 27.

Ruby Jean was born on February 18, 1925 in Frederick, OK. She was a longtime resident of Cortez, moving here from Dove Creek, in 1966. She married Travis Barber on December 12, 1945 in Aztec, NM after Travis' return from WWII.

Ruby Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Travis, parents William Earl and Orpha Harris, brothers Bill, J.D., John and Thurman and oldest sister, Lucile Semadeni, also by two sons-in-Law Wallace Thomas and Shane Hampton. She leaves to mourn her passing four children, Jean Thomas of Riverview, FL, Ed (Darlene) Flora Vista, NM, Ellen Bontorno (Vic) Riverview, FL and Marsha Gurwell (Mike) Odessa, TX. She is also survived by sisters Betty Lou Waterman and Hazel Gohr, 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren's accomplishments and up until the last few years, everyone got special cards for their special day.

Ruby Jean was a school teacher for over 42 years, starting in a one room school in the middle of a field outside of Cahone, CO. Her last ten years were spent on the Navajo Reservation where she was treated as a special friend and teacher by the local community. Until the last few months Ruby Jean still recognized her student's names and could tell you their parent's names also.

Ruby Jean was a faithful member of the Cortez Primitive Baptist Church, serving as their secretary for many years. She appreciated the loving care shown by her pastor and his wife by visiting her when she was no longer able to attend services.

Mom used to tell stories about how her dad, our Grandpa Harris, moved his whole family from Oklahoma to West Texas and finding things just as tough to provide for the family there he moved them on to SW Colorado in 1935. It was a long hard trip in the back of an old converted farm truck that Granny Harris had made into a covered home for the trip. They cooked alongside the road but mom's favorite thing was getting to eat canned sardines. Mom graduated from Dove Creek Union High School in 1941 and went on to Fort Lewis A&M along with her sisters. She continued her education after marriage attending summer school at Adams State and in later years went back to school and obtained her Master's Degree. She taught school almost continually, taking very little time off to have her babies. She was a strong maternal influence on all our lives and we will miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Dove Creek VFW Auxiliary Post 5181, Box 456, Dove Creek, CO 81324.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. To send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.