Ruby Lee Person

Ruby Lee Person was born Ruby Lee Barkley on February, 10, 1951 in Rochester, NY as the third child and first daughter of Laverne and James Barkley, Sr. Growing up in Rochester, NY, Ruby was raised in a household filled with unique personalities. Ruby exhibited signs of her unique personality as a remarkable caregiver when she began cooking at age 9 and assisting her mother with caring for her siblings. She was a meticulous housekeeper and excellent cook. She crocheted, knitted and sewed like a professional! She had a voracious appetite for knowledge and a deep appreciation for art. She truly enjoyed playing chess, listening to music and dancing. She loved sports, especially basketball. She even played guard on the East High School basketball team. One of her greatest gifts was her voice and she used it to sing back up for Chuck Mangione, speak words of encouragement and wisdom to others or discuss everything from religion and politics to social injustices. She always challenged everyone to be their best and to love God.

In 1969 Ruby graduated from East High School and gave birth to her first daughter, Moné Barkley. A few short years later, she relocated to Chicago, IL and began working for Johnson Products Company. In 1972 Ruby married Charles "Duke" Huffman. Years later, Ruby moved back to Rochester and married her friend, William L. Person. God blessed Ruby's union to William with her second daughter, Wilhelmenia Person. Ever the loving caretaker, Ruby began working as a visiting nurse. Keeping her commitment to her family, Ruby took an early retirement from her job so that she could care for William full-time when he became disabled. All who knew her experienced first-hand Ruby's infectious personality, love of laughter, fierce loyalty and strong dedication to family.

On September 17, 2010, it was discovered that Ruby had made her transition from labor to reward. Her passing leaves a void in her family and for all who knew her. Despite leaving at the tender age of 59, Ruby touched countless people and had a profound effect on many lives. Her boundless love lives on in her family, her friends and our memories of her kind ways. Ruby is pre-deceased by her mother, LaVerne Barkley; brother, Elliott Barkley; sister, Dianne Barkley; her great-grandmother, Ruby Johnson; and brother in-law, Carlos Diaz. She is survived by her husband, William L. Person; her father James Barkley Sr.; daughters, Moné C. Barkley and Wilhelmenia L. Person; grandchildren, Chantz K. Powell and Liam Person; brothers, Willy J. Barkley, Leslie Barkley, James Barkley Jr., Michael Barkley, Peter James Barkley; sisters , Betty Ann (Terry) MacLennan, Traycee (Richard) Timian, Michele Diaz, and Mary (Sherman)Barkley-LaGroon ; nephews and nieces, Shawn(Onnie) Jacque) , Joy (Dwayne) Twillie, Shanté Barkley, James Barkley III, Lucy Barkley, Collin(Keisha) Harris, Celeste Barkley, Christine Anderson, Dianne Diaz, LaVerne Thompson, Ashley Diaz, David Barkley and Victor LaGroon and a host of other family members.

Friends and Family of Ruby will always be touched by and will miss the 2nd Matriarch of the Barkley clan, but her loving memory will continue to live forever.