Ruby Lee Seymour McTyre, age 98, was called to glory on Thursday, February 9, 2017 surrounded by friends and family at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Ruby Lee's journey on God's earth began May 12, 1918 just north of Memphis in rural Tennessee. Her family moved shortly thereafter to Powder Springs, Georgia, where she and her five siblings were raised on a working farm.
Life on the family farm was filled with hard work – picking cotton, caring for livestock, plowing and watering fields by hand, and helping to maintain the family home. Those early years instilled Ruby Lee with a great work ethic that stayed with her for life.
After graduating from Hiram High School in 1934, beautiful young Ruby Lee began modeling. Working for Rich's and every other major Atlanta department store, she could be seen regularly in store fashion shows or advertisements in local papers.
Ruby Lee later worked as an operator for the Ford Motor Company, where she met the love of her life, John McTyre. The happy, married couple bought their first home in the Atlanta suburb of Forest Park, where they lived most of their married life. In their later years, they returned to Powder Springs to be closer to family.
Ruby Lee was also a very skilled seamstress, making clothes for herself, John, and others – sometimes offering alterations for free when times were tight for her customers. Ruby Lee was very proud of the beautiful custom suits she made for husband John, always the sharpest dressed man around.
No matter how busy she was, Ruby Lee always found time to help others. She regularly volunteered at her church and other community organizations, giving her time and caring heart to all those in need. Ruby Lee's constant energy, positive attitude, and unparalleled zest for life were an inspiration to all right up to her final day.
As the last surviving sibling and many years since John's passing, Ruby Lee spent her twilight years with extended family in southern California. True to her heart, Ruby Lee made more friends during those final years, garnering a very special connection with Veronica Alvarado, who viewed Ruby Lee as the divine inspiration she had been looking for in life.
Having made the world a better place for all, Ruby Lee Seymour McTyre returns to her dearest Georgia and joins her beloved John in Eternal Grace.
Visitation will be 6-8pm Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Bellamy Funeral Home, 3551 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram, GA. Graveside service 11am Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Powder Springs Memorial Gardens, 4157 Atlanta Street, Powder Springs