Ruby Jewel Knox

~The Celebration of a Beautiful Life~

Ruby Jewel Payne was born in Meridian Mississippi on Wednesday, January 1, 1947, to the parents of Bill and Ada Payne. To this union ten children were born. The order of birth was as following: Alvin Lawrence Payne, Betty Lou Payne, Macie Loraine Marie Payne, (and at birth; a deceased twin) Howard Payne, James “Pete” Payne, Ruby Jewel Payne, Shirley Jean Payne, Ruth Mae Payne, and Lula Mae Payne (who passed at the age of eight). Also, One; Half-Brother: Willis B. Green, Sr.

After Ruby was born; Her family soon moved to Sikeston, Missouri and then in 1951 she moved to Bell City, Missouri. Then from Bell City, she moved to Matthews, Missouri and went to High School in New Madrid, Missouri.

In Matthews, Missouri she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at the age of thirteen at Roseland Church while attending a Christian revival. This initiated Ruby’s personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; a relationship she took very seriously through the duration of her life.

Ruby married Willie Walton, Jr., on Wednesday, June 24, 1964, in Sikeston, Missouri.

She later married Larry Knox on Thursday, August 26, 1993, in Macomb, Illinois.

Ruby later went to cosmetology school and earned her cosmetology license in 1998. She then later pursued a career in healthcare and retired from Lutheran Nursing Home as a Nursing Assistant in Perry, Iowa.

Ruby enjoyed family holidays and gatherings where she would cook for her family. Some of the types of dishes she would prepare included: spaghetti, dressing, collard and turnip greens, potato salad, many sweet potato pies, and her homemade banana pudding. She took pride in making sure that the food tasted good and that there was plenty for guests and strangers.

Ruby was affectionately called “Ruby Jewel.” Coincidentally, Ruby loved her jewelry. She enjoyed treasure shopping; finding beautiful clothes and jewelry to add to her collection and then returning home to mix and match the different pieces she found while creating a unique and classy style of her own. When she had a gathering -to attend she would shop with pieces already in her wardrobe. She rarely had to go out and buy or purchase a new outfit. Rather she shopped from her closet. Ruby truly had an eye for fashion and beautiful jewelry. Her favorite perfume was White Diamond by Elizabeth Taylor.

On Friday, April 19, 2024, Ruby Jewel Knox transitioned peacefully from this life to life eternal. She was preceded in death by her parents: Bill and Ada Payne, Her Paternal and Maternal Grandparents, Her Spouse: Larry Knox, and eight siblings: Alvin Lawrence Payne, Betty Lou Moore, Macie Loraine Marie Thomas, (Macie’s deceased twin at birth), James “Pete” Payne, Shirley Jean Payne, Lula Mae Payne, and her Half-Brother: Willis B. Green Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memory; two living siblings: Howard Payne and Ruth Payne-Mawlayer. Eight Wonderful Children: Anthony (Kelly) Walton, Victor Walton, Donald (Julie) Walton, Regina Watts, Brendolyn Smiley, Demarro (Miene) Walton, Tondesha Walton and Damen Walton. One Special Son: Rene Tapia. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of bonus children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and many lifelong friends, extended family and loved ones.

So shall we ever remember the life of such a BEAUTIFUL JEWEL:
~Mrs. Ruby Jewel Knox~

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