Ruby Ellen McAdoo Smith Coleman, age 77, of Norman, Okla. passed away on Nov. 19, 2024. She was born Aug. 8, 1947, to Stewart Leslie McAdoo and Josie Edna McAdoo (Vanhoutan) in Stockton. She is the seventh child of 11 children.
Ruby went to school in Russell her whole life. She went to Fossil Creek school and graduated from Russell High School in 1966. She met Keith Smith in 1965 and married in 1966. In this union they had four daughters. They later divorced. She met and married Donald Coleman and had one daughter in the marriage. They later divorced.
Ruby lived in a numerous places: Albert for sevem years, Arapahoe, Neb. for 10 years, Otis-Bison area for three years, Russell from 1984-2011. From Russell she moved to the Great Bend area for nine years before making her home in Norman, Okla. She enjoyed quilting, bowling, writing poetry, sewing, doing word searches, drawing and painting, playing her games on her IPAD, coloring, and watching Hallmark Movies.
She attended beauty school right after high school. She worked in healthcare for many years. She cleaned and drove the city bus for Russell for many years. She worked in convenience stores and a grocery store, as well as a department store. Her last job was driving people to and from their appointments. She loved being able to help people.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. She was an active member of several congregations, the longest being First Southern Baptist Church of Russell. She was also a girl scout leader. A member of Women’s auxiliary, Quilts of Valor, and the American Legion.
Ruby is proceeded in death by her parents, her sisters Alice Zordel and Martha Batman (Charles still living), brothers Leslie McAdoo (Judy still living) and Stewart McAdoo (Janet deceased). She is survived by her children: Sherry Fleming and Pamela Smith of Norman, Okla., Regina Jacobs of Hays, Sarah Smith-Orr of Topeka, and Stacey (Duncan) Holley of Hays; 12 grandchildren: Marcus (Jen), Tricia, Tony Jr, Chyna, Timothy, Afrika, DaShawn, Khalil, Marla, Tamia, Donatello, Stefan. 12 Great-Grandchildren: Eric, Darious, Javontae, Brayleigh, Genesis, Brysen, Maliyah, Tiana, Miles, Monroe, Jude, Sloane; siblings Josie Doty (Larry deceased), Evelyn Monroe (Leroy deceased), Mary Pollock, Edna Coyle (Robert), William McAdoo (Carol), Larry McAdoo (Darlene). And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins.
The family is having a celebration of life service on Dec. 7, 2024, in Russell at the Elks Lodge from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. There will be a short service with lunch afterwards. It is a potluck event. Please reach out to the family to let us know what you are bringing. We are also asking that people share some memories and words about Ruby.