V. Ruby (Howell) Ray Howard, 96

V. Ruby Howard, 96, 'returned to God" Feb. 10, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born June 5, 1912, in the Deer Park District of Flathead County, to Elmer C. and Minnie (Johnston) Howell.

She married W. Clarence Ray on March 15, 1930. They had three children before divorcing.

On Feb. 1, 1957, she married Milo J. Howard.

She had many jobs throughout her life: homemaker, pet shop manager, fruit harvester, nurse's aide at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, childcare provider, Kalispell Hospital kitchen and laundry staff, and farmer.

Having been widowed for many years, she kept busy with her family, friends, and spending time with her beloved Bible Presbyterian Church family, besides traveling, reading, and making her famous angel food cakes.

Ruby was preceded in death by both husbands; her son, William "Bill" Ray; her parents; her brothers, Mern, Ross, Leonard and Walter Howell; sisters, Della Stalcup, Shirley Howell, and Jean Johns; son-in-law, Robert "Bob" Joy; granddaughters, Patti Miller and Debbie Kauffman; and great-granddaughter, Stormy Ann Boyle.

She is survived by her daughters, Merdith D. Joy, of Universal City, Texas, and Lynne and Myron Boyle of Kalispell; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren; her sisters, Blanche Hoyt, Iva Mae Stryker and Jessie Wunderlich; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 28, at the Bible Presbyterian Church, with a reception afterward. Private family interment rites will be held at a later date.

Friends are encouraged to leave condolences on the Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.