Ruby L. Martin

Ruby L. Martin, 95, of California, Mo., our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend was carried in the arms of the angels to her heavenly home on Thursday, December 10, 2020. She passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in California, Mo. She was born on December 10, 1925, near California, Mo. to Roy Eugene and Mabel (Kirchoff) Bowlin. On October 9, 1943, she was married in California, Mo. to Edwin A. "Mike" Martin, who passed away December 18, 1998. Ruby was employed by California Manufacturing (Jacket Factory) for 38 years as a sewing machine operator and retired on April 7, 1989. She often remarked that she hoped to be able to sew jackets in heaven. She was confirmed at the California Evangelical and Reformed Church (United Church of Christ) as a teenager. She was a member of the California United Methodist Church where she spent many hours cooking and helping with functions in the church kitchen. Ruby was featured on July 26, 2005 as "The Person You Should Know" on KRCG TV-13. She was honored for her many acts of kindness in the California community. Ruby spent many hours visiting residents in the California nursing homes, transporting ladies who could no longer drive anywhere they needed to go and taking food and shopping for those in need. She received six medals for 5K walks at the California Turkey Festival for the 60 and older group. She enjoyed having breakfast with her friends each morning and enjoying dinner out with those special friends on Friday and Saturday nights. These friends played cards every Friday and Saturday night with her and she looked forward to doing this each and every week. These friends were cherished and dear to her heart. Ruby's family appreciates all of the love and caring support these friends gave her though the years. Surviving are her son, Eugene Martin of Eldon; two daughters, Sherry Hampton (David) and Gloria Imhoff (Vince), all of California; one sister, Joyce Heather of California; nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. We are all better for having loved her. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Carol Beth Martin, one brother, and two sisters. Private funeral services were held Sunday, December 13 at Windmill Ridge Funeral Home. Burial was held at the California City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church-Kitchen Fund, 201 South Oak Street, California, MO 65018. Online messages of condolence may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.