Obituary

Ruby Lee Maynes Spear was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.   She peacefully passed to her heavenly home on July 28, 2023 at the age of 93 in Gilbert, Arizona.   Ruby was the fifth of eight children born to Hazel Eley and Ernest Lewis Maynes.   She was born in Cortez, Colorado on December 13, 1929, and was  preceded in death by her husband, parents and all her siblings:  David, Mary, Robert, Luella, Howard, Ruth and Karen.  While at a dance in Cortez, she met a handsome army sergeant, Jay H. Spear, who was on leave from Camp Hood, and it was from that lonely outpost that he quickly proposed through a letter.  They were married 11 months later on June 27, 1947 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple when she was just 17. They had a deep and abiding love.  To this union were born 5 daughters:  Trudy Lee, Diana Jean, Dawna Laureen, Paula Ann and Brenda Sue; each her favorite!  Ruby was blessed to have 84 descendants:  5 children, 19 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren.  She knew everyone’s birthday and sent personal notes to each.

Ruby remembers a happy, carefree childhood despite growing up during the difficult wartime.  Her loving mother maintained a beautiful home.  Her father, a rural-route mail carrier, also owned a farm outside of town, so they always had fresh food and generously shared with others. She often stayed at the farm with her beloved grandmother, Martha Logue.   From the age of 12, Ruby loved memorizing, writing and reciting poetry; a hobby that continued throughout her life.  Ruby was a bubbly girl with dimples and a creative imagination. She loved school and participated in cheerleading, dances, plays and club activities. Working at Wilson’s Drug Store and as a nursing assistant for Dr. Rasor kept her a busy teen.

Ruby and Jay started life in the Colorado mountains where Jay was a lumberjack. They later moved to New Mexico then Utah.   Raising their daughters in Oregon, they eventually settled in Arizona near family.  As he changed his career to insurance, Ruby helped him build a business and worked alongside him.  They served three LDS missions together volunteering in Minnesota, Kentucky and Oregon.

Her family is honored to have her as their guiding star and loving matriarch.  A devoted mother, she taught her daughters homemaking and life skills.  She was a shining example of sacrifice and dedication, always putting her family first.  Leading by example, she was patient, kind and cheerful.   She spent many years researching and preserving her family history, traveling twice to Ireland uniting with family members – living and passed.  Sacred moments were spent worshipping in temples around the country. 

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she served in many capacities.  She was an inspired teacher, a den mother, seminary teacher, devoted ministering sister, and taught primary children and young women.  As a friend she reached out, cared for and cherished all she met and had a listening ear.  Every friend had a place in her heart. 

Ruby had a kind word for everyone.  She had a happy energetic approach to life that lifted all in her presence.  She told her family that her life was “wonderful, wonderful.”  Her last words of advice to us were.  “Be Happy” and “Love Each Other” and for good measure she added….”Just Do It.”  Which is for each of us to decide and Just Do It.