PHILLIPS, Ruby, age 83, of Hamilton, OH, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Fairfield, OH. She was born in Rockcastle County, Kentucky on January 28, 1928, the daughter of Herbert and Mae (Carpenter) Raines. On June 5, 1948, she married Carlos F. Phillips, and he preceded her in death on May 5, 2005. They enjoyed nearly 57 years of marriage to which three children were born.

Ruby is survived by these three children and (spouses); Donna (Tom) White, Carlos "Fred" Phillips, Jr. and Wallace (Kathy) Phillips, all of Hamilton, OH. She was preceded in death by Fred's wife, Bonnie. She leaves behind one special grandson, Christopher Ryan Phillips, Hamilton, OH, whom she helped raise. Survivors also include two step granddaughters, Tammy Davidson and Alberta Kammeron, eight step great-grandchildren; Ryan, Aaron, Lyndsey, and Lauren Davidson, Emmalee and T.J. Lakes, and Aeriss and Eaden Kammeron, all of Hamilton, OH. She is also survived by three brothers; Thurman "Jack"(Evelene) Raines of Mt. Vernon, KY, Floyd "Bill"(Edith) Raines, and Quillen C.(Wilene) Raines of Vandalia, OH and several caring nieces and nephews.

Ruby was born from humble, but very proud, beginnings. She was intelligent and well-educated, even dictating her "book" in her final year of life. She graduated from Livingston, KY High School in 1944, at the age of sixteen. She attended Sue Bennett College in London, KY and began teaching in one-room schools in Rockcastle Co. Ruby and family moved to Hamilton OH in 1956 where her husband obtained a job on the B. & O. Railroad, and she began a 26-year teaching career in the New Miami Local School District. She proudly graduated from Miami University in 1964. Ruby never forgot a student, nor did they forget her. She was loved and respected by so many children who still many years later ask about her and recall the fond memories of being in her classroom. She retired in 1983.
Ruby's calling in life was to take care of people, from helping her father raise her three younger brothers beginning when she was 15 years old, to raising Christopher after her retirement, and always helping anyone in need.

Ruby had a great love for country music, following her brother-in law, Clyde "Butch" Phillips's Nashville career, going to shows and feeding the bands of everyone from Stonewall Jackson to George Jones. She was a great cook. She was a proud Kentucky Colonel. She loved to photograph the events in her family's lives and left a treasury of cherished memories. She was a wonderful mother and "Gigi". Her mind was so sharp, even as her body failed, and her family and friends will never be able to fill the void of losing the knowledge and love she gave them.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, May 28, at the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton, OH, with Pastor Wallace Miller officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 to 12:00, Saturday, at the funeral home to pay respects.
A private burial of her cremains, next to her husband at Rose Hill Cemetery, will be held at a later date. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com