On July 14, 2026, Ruby Bell Gum Dowdy peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord at the remarkable age of 102, surrounded by the love of her family.
She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, unconditional love, quiet strength and a life devoted to serving her family and others. To those who knew her, Ruby was the heart of her family—the matriarch whose kitchen was always open, whose laughter could often be heard through song, and whose greatest joy was simply being surrounded by the people she loved.
Ruby was born May 30, 1924, in Green Bank, to the late Willis Austin Gum and Leah Alice Puffenbarger Gum. One of eight children, she spent her childhood in the mountains growing up on Stoney Run Farm and affectionately talked about “over home” any chance she had. Growing up in Pocahontas County taught her the value of faith, hard work, family and appreciating life’s simplest blessings. Throughout her life, no matter where she lived, her stories always found their way back to Green Bank—the farm, the mountains, the cool temperatures and harsh winters, and the people who shaped the woman she would become.
As a young woman, Ruby ventured beyond the mountains to Washington, D.C., to live with an aunt and take up employment with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. It was there that an ordinary Greyhound bus ride changed the course of her life forever. On her route, Ruby found herself seated near a handsome young Navy sailor named Bill. Before he stepped off at his stop, he promised Ruby that he would be back to find her soon; he just needed to know how to contact her. Though hesitant, she handed him a pack of matches where she wrote her phone number. A few months later, a surprise phone call came in and Bill kept his promise–he came back to D.C. for Ruby and that chance meeting became the beginning of a love story that would span decades.
Ruby and Bill were married February 24, 1947, in Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter, they packed their few belongings and moved to Craigsville, Virginia, to help Ruby’s aunt run the historic Greystone Inn where she helped operate and cook for the family business until the hotel closed years later.
It was there in Craigsville that Ruby and Bill built a beautiful life together and raised a family rooted in love, faith and hard work. They welcomed their children, Patsy Lynn “Patty,” William Carl “Billy,” Cynthia Louise “Cindy,” Alice Ann “Annie,” and Linda Sue. They also lovingly raised Scott Remington “Scotty,” embracing him with the same unconditional love that defined their home – she was lovingly known as “Momma” to all six children.
Over the years, Ruby became woven into the fabric of the Craigsville, Virginia, and Augusta County community. She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Craigs-ville, the Craigsville VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Women of the Moose, the Women’s Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and many other civic and service organizations that reflected her commitment to faith, patriotism and helping others.
If you ever sat at Ruby’s kitchen table, you never left hungry. Whether you stop-ped by for a planned visit or simply dropped in, there was always something cooking, a place waiting for you, and a conversation that made you feel at home. She loved tending garden, canning the harvest, and sharing both with family, neighbors and friends. Music and dancing were always part of her home, and it was not uncommon to find Ruby singing and she and Bill two-stepping around the kitchen – all becoming part of countless family memories.
In 1997, after many happy years in Craigsville, Ruby and Bill moved to Staunton, Virginia. Their home on Baldwin Drive quickly became another place where family gathered and friendships flourished. Ruby became an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, where she remained a faithful member for the rest of her life. She delighted in telling others she lived “near the Statlers” and proudly considered herself a Stauntonian. At the age of 100 she was honored as a distinguished citizen of the city.
After 52 years of marriage, Ruby experienced the heartbreaking loss of Bill following his courageous and aggressive battle with cancer in 1999. Though she missed him deeply every day, she continued to live the remainder of her years with the same quiet grace and steadfast faith that had always defined her.
Her home remained a place of warmth, hospitality, and love where children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends were always welcome.
In the spring of 2026, Ruby began her final chapter when she moved to Millboro, Virginia, to live with her beloved granddaughter, Megan, and her great-grandchildren –”Mommaw’s babies” – Carley Elizabeth, Chase Thomas, Caleb Dean “Little Meo” and Cash Logan, “Mommaw’s little man.” Watching them grow brought her a joy that words cannot describe. She loved sitting beside her picture windows watching the birds, deer and chipmunks while trusting fully in God’s plan for each new day in a place that reminded her of her West Virginia roots.
In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 52 years, Carl Lawrence “Bill” Dowdy; siblings, Austin Gum, Basil Gum, Ernest Gum, Maxie Gum, Seraphine Gum, Bonnie Wilson and Pauline Lucas; beloved sister-in-love and lifelong best friend, Eva Gail Gum; in-laws she loved as her own, Homer and Mamie Dowdy; and Bill’s siblings whom she loved dearly, Tommy Dowdy, Irene Carter and Mickey Patterson.
She leaves behind a family that was her greatest pride, Patty Moran, and her longtime partner, Harry Harris, of Staunton, Virginia; Bill Dowdy, and wife, Florence, of Kiawah, South Carolina; Cindy Sensabaugh, and husband, Marvin, of Goshen, Virginia; Annie Shiflett, and husband, Danny, of Craigs-ville, Virginia; Linda Mader, and husband, Joe, and Scotty Lucas, all of Staunton, Virginia; beloved grandchildren and (great-grandchildren), Carl and Dayna Dowdy (Hailey and Hannah – her two favorite Old Maid players), of Golden, Colorado; John and Sarah Dowdy (Caden and Nora – her little piano player), of Ballwin, Missouri; Brian Harlow (Brianna), of Staunton, Virginia; Megan and Tommy Ady (Carley, Chase, Caleb and Cash), of Millboro, Virginia; and Daniel Shiflett – her little Leo, of Staunton, Virginia; bonus grandchildren, Matt and Sam Mader, of Stuarts Draft (Zoe and Jack), and Justin Mader, of Churchville, Virginia; a dear sister-in-law, Becky Darnell; many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who were blessed by her love and friendship. The family would also like to recognize the special friendships she shared with Eddie Homes, Cassie Holsinger, Claire Harper, and her lifelong best friend, Geraldine Snyder, all of whom loved Ruby as family.
The family extends its deepest gratitude to Ruby’s devoted in-home caregivers, Emily, Wendy, Afton and Amie, whose compassion, kindness and faithful service allowed her to spend her final months where she most wanted to be – at home, surrounded by those she loved. Also, a special thank you to the staff of Bath Community Hospital for providing care for Ruby over the last several years – in her room, #208.
Funeral service was held Monday, July 20, 2026, at Christ United Methodist Church in Staunton, Virginia, with Pastor Dale White officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens where she was laid to rest alongside Bill.
Active pallbearers: Brian Harlow, Daniel Shiftlett, Matt Mader, Justin Mader, Jack Mader, and Colby Berry. Honorary pallbearers: Tommy Ady, Fred Mader, Bobby Benson, Butch Smiley, Rader Dod, John Avoli, Mahlon Webb and Mike Poole.
Those who knew Ruby knew she loved flowers and cards. If you would like to share a memory of her, please mail a card with your memory to her Bath County home at 2611 Westminster Road, Millboro, VA 24460.
