Ruby Stone
Ruby Stone

Obituary of Ruby Stone

Ruby Rocker Stone was born in Portal, Georgia, on February 6, 1924 to Eddie Lee Rocker and Della Taylor Rocker, and passed away on May 1, 2013. Ruby lived her entire adult life giving: to her family, through her legislative career, and through golf. Ruby began her legislative career as an attaché for governors, the Idaho House of Representatives and Senate. When her husband, Harry A. Stone, was elected to House Seat 17B, Ruby stepped down from her attaché role. Harry passed away while in office, in January 1986; Ruby was then appointed to fulfill his remaining term. At the next election, she was voted in on her own merit and re-elected each term for the next 17 years until her retirement in 2002. She supported many bills throughout her tenure. Most notable was the bill that created the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. At that time, Idaho was the only state in the union without a state veteran's cemetery. She sponsored the bill, and it passed unanimously through both the House and Senate. She was also a driving force behind the passage of Idaho's anti-stalking law in 1992, testifying on its behalf. Ruby's tremendous people skills—her ability to combine human-service skills, compassion, and facts—resulted in the passage of many pieces of legislation that benefit thousands of people in the State of Idaho. Ruby made many friends and constituents on both sides of the aisle. She knew how to get things done. She was highly respected not only for her ability but for her integrity. She served on the national USGA Junior Girls Golf Committee for 26 years. She was largely responsible for bringing Junior Girls Golf to Idaho. She mentored many young golfers, teaching them social skills and sportsman-like conduct worthy of a champion. She herself won many golf tournaments. The Boise Special Olympics Golf Tournament is named after Ruby Stone. She was also active for the Idaho Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the Humphreys Diabetes Center, and many other community service organizations. She was a loving and caring woman—her greatest frustration in later years was the limitations of her health, which prevented her from giving to others as she was accustomed. She was now on the receiving end of this love and caring support. Alert and gracious to the end, she continued to even joke with and tease the staff wherever she was. She earned many awards for her performance in the legislature and with the state golf community. She was the first woman in the nation to serve as president of a state golf association. She was the 2nd woman in the nation to serve on the board of directors of a state golf association. She was inducted into the Idaho Sports Hall of Fame for her own performance and her mentoring. Ruby loved holidays—especially St. Patrick's Day. She would don her green hat and celebrate throughout the statehouse and downtown Boise. Along with millions of other American women, Ruby supported the WWII war effort while her husband flew P51 fighter missions in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Fighting for freedom, each in their own way, Ruby and Harry were both members of America's Greatest Generation. She appreciated Veterans as they appreciated her many efforts on their behalf—thus, the flag-draped casket to honor her today. Ruby is survived by two children, Dianne and Raymond. A viewing and visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, Meridian. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 1 pm at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, Meridian. Concluding services will be held at Dry Creek Cemetery immediately following the celebration of life, followed by a reception at St.Stephen's Episcopal Church, 2206 N. Cole Rd., Boise
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