Ruby Sonwalt Hale

Ruby Sonwalt Hale, 90, of Martinsburg, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the King’s Daughters Home in Mexico.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, at the Martinsburg Community Church with Deacon Ron Deimeke officiating. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery near Shamrock.

Visitation is Saturday, October 12, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Ruby was born April 15, 1934 at home in rural Rush Hill, Missouri, to Lee and Fannie (Brown) Sonwalt. She was the youngest of three children.  Ruby graduated from Mexico High School in 1951 and then attended the University of Missouri – Columbia for one year.

She met a guy named Don Hale on a blind date shortly after he had gotten out of the Army. It was love at first sight. On May 5, 1956, Don and Ruby were married in Fulton, Missouri, and they were blessed with three children, Warren, Holly, and Jim. Don passed away on March 26, 2000.

Don and Ruby enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. When Don passed away, she started to travel with the Martinsburg Bank Silver Seniors and on some Tropical Island cruises.

Ruby loved to sew and has made over 200 quilts. All the grandchildren have received a quilt when celebrating special events or milestones in their life. She has made and given away 25 quilts for charity for the Martinsburg Community Church Christmas Dinner Raffle over the years.

Mrs. Hale also enjoyed jazz, gospel and country music. Family dinners have been important to Ruby throughout her life with many special memories shared.

Survivors include her children, Warren (Connie) Hale of Martinsburg, Holly (Bob) Neske of Warrenton, and Jim (Brenda) Hale of Martinsburg; eight grandchildren, Mark (Kathleen) Hale, Julie (Kaleb) Harris, Luke (Ashley) Rodgers, Adam (Bridget) Rodgers, Hope (Raul) Adams, Jake (Mandy) Rodgers, Lydia (Mathew) Sexton, and Gabriel Hale; 19 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Frances Schooler of Columbia.

In addition to her husband, Don, Ruby was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Smith.

Memorial donations may be made to the Liberty Cemetery near Shamrock, Augusta Cemetery near Shamrock, or the King’s Daughters Home. All may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.

Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com