Ruby Cordelia Ruffin Gray

Ruby Cordelia Ruffin Gray
November 11, 1919 - October 29, 2015

Ruby was born in Valiant, OK on November 11, 1919 to Inez Weathers and Albert Ervin Ruffin.
She passed away at home in San Pedro on October 29, 2015. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Gray, Sr and both of her siblings; her sister Maxine Waters and her brother Jim Ruffin. She is survived by her only son, Clifford Gray, Jr and his wife Linda; granddaughters Holly Gray and Ashley Gray and one grandson, Ryan Gray. She leaves behind 2 sister-in-laws, Etta Gray and Lola Ruffin and many loving nieces and nephews.

Ruby had several jobs throughout her lifetime. She worked for McDonnell Douglas in Oklahoma City, OK during World War II. She delivered engineering drawings and departmental mail while wearing roller skates! She moved to Wilmington, CA with baby Clifford Jr before the end of the war. There she got a job working in a fish cannery on Terminal Island. Her husband joined her, and their now 2 year old son, Cliff JR, in California after the war. In 1951 the family of 3 moved from Wilmington to a brand new house on President Avenue in Harbor City, CA. While living there, Ruby got a job at the San Pedro Motor Vehicle Depart (now known as the DMV) from where she eventually retired.

After retirement, Ruby & Cliff picked up stakes and headed all over the United States living in their Airstream trailer. Later they bought a home in Lomita, CA to have a place to get mail and stop in for a break from the traveling life. And then hit the road again!

In 1980, they bought a home on a lake in the high desert community of Silver Lakes. Together, they enjoyed fishing and golf in their new little oasis. In 1988, Clifford Jr and his wife built a house near them and Ruby enjoyed having her grandchildren over to enjoy swimming and sailing on the lake. She also always loved to garden and shared that with the kids as well. Summertime on the deck with a bowl of just picked grapes is a fond memory of many that visited her.

Ruby's husband passed away in 2001, but Ruby managed to stay alone in her home for several years. In 2008, she broke her arm and later her hip, and it was finally time to move in with her son and his family. In 2014, she moved with them when they made the move back home to the south bay area into a house in San Pedro. The move brought Ruby closer to her oldest granddaughter, who visited her often. She was also visited by nieces and nephews that she hadn't seen in years. Her 95th birthday was well attended by many long lost family members.

A very special place for Ruby was the Snow Valley Ski Club cabin. Her favorite place to gather with her own family and her sibling's families. She had many wonderful memories created there and loved telling everyone the stories of time spent there.

A few other things she enjoyed were square dancing, which she and Cliff Sr. took up when it was suggested as good physical therapy after he was in an automobile accident. And she enjoyed doing water aerobics in Silver Lakes for almost 35 years. She credited that for her longevity! She was less than 2 weeks away from turning 96!

Ruby will be buried next to her husband in Green Hills Memorial Park in San Pedro. She is being laid to rest on November 11, 2015; her 96th birthday. A celebration of her life will be be held at her home, immediately following the graveside service.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275