Ruby (Spencer) Gorgas

Ruby Gorgas 93, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Brethren Care Village due to complications of a stroke. She was born December 12, 1920 in Breathitt Co., Kentucky to Sedric and Carrie (Crawford) Spencer. She was a graduate of Glen Eden High School and Lees College in Jackson, Kentucky where she received a teaching degree. Ruby taught in one room schools at various locations around Breathitt County. She left her teaching career to join the war effort at the Checker Cab Division of the General Motors Corporation in Royal Oak, Michigan where she helped make army trucks and the amphibious ducks that were used in the invasion of Normandy. She was a lifetime member of a union that was a forerunner of the AFL-CIO. After the war she lived with relatives in Ashland and worked at Cresco Manufacturing. She met and married Arthur Gordon Gorgas who preceded her in death in 1979. Later in life she was a Foster Grandmother for the Ashland County Head Start Program. Ruby enjoyed vegetable gardening and raised a big garden each year well into her seventies just for the joy of watching things grow. She was known for her baking skills and canned much of the family’s food for many years. She leaves behind to cherish her memory a son, Fred of Ashland, two daughters and a son-in-law, Myreda and Richard of Kettering, Jeannie of Ashland, a step-daughter whom she raised and a step son-in-law, Debbie and Michael Fite of Kenai, Alaska, four grandchildren, Barry Jackenheimer of Ashland, Kelly (Tim) Gray of Bailey Lakes, Sheryl Buffmyer of Ashland, and Tim Buffmyer formerly of Ashland, nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and five sisters. In keeping with her wishes there will be no funeral service or visitation. A family gathering will be held at the graveside. Burial will be in Ashland County Memorial Park. Heyl Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements and will provide an online register book for family and friends to express condolences at www.heylfuneralhome.com

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