Ruby Harness

Ruby Irene Harness, 95, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 19th, 2024 after a lengthy illness. 

Born on September 1st, 1928, Ruby was one of the 17 children of Charlie and Delia Denny. Having been raised in a two-room cabin in rural Lincoln County, she gained her undeniable grit and steadfast work ethic. She attended school through the fourth grade but never stopped learning in life. She joins her parents with brothers Carl, Edward, Loles, Jasper, Junior, Joe, and Ray and sisters Willie Mae, Margie, Julie, Evelyn, Edith, Virginia, and Bettie in eternal rest preparing a place for her siblings Bradford and Eva. 

Ruby is now safely in the arms of her beloved husband, Lois. Having first caught his eye in the mirror at the soda fountain at the Stanford Restaurant, the two were a perfect pair. They brought four children into the world and raised them to love and respect all of God’s creation. Ruby lost Lois in 1983 but her love and devotion to him never died. Ruby attended the First Church of God in Danville where she was a member for over seven decades. Her passion for gardening was well known, and compassion for humanity shown through her actions. Ruby is now singing in God’s chorus with daughters Carol Frazelle and Anita Saylor, son-in-law Jim Bourne, granddaughter Beth Caudill, and grandson-in-law Larry Caudill. Her presence will forever be felt by son Doug Harness, daughter Frances Bourne, daughter-in-law Carol Harness, and sons-in-law Barry Frazelle and Mark Saylor.

“Grandma,” “Nanny,” “Great Nanny,” or simply “Ma,” she will be greatly missed by her eight grandchildren: Anne (Mark) Eastwood, Matt (Ruth) Bourne, Traci (Keith) Brewer, Rick (Kelli) Morgan, Paul (Ashley) Harness, Andrew (Melisa) Harness, Erin (Jonathan) Chandler, and Ben Saylor; her 27 great-grandchildren; her 20 great-great-grandchildren; and the many friends whose lives she brought light. 

Having felt the wondrous warmth and peace of Heaven decades ago after a near death experience, Ruby took every opportunity to share the good news and the grace of God. For those of us she leaves behind, we take comfort to know that she is there again but we must remember our task to show the world a sliver of the love and kindness that she showed us. 

She will be remembered in visitation on Friday, July 26th, 2024, 12:00pm to 1:00pm and a funeral to follow at 1:00pm at Preston-Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home in Danville.

Pallbearers will be cadre of grandsons and great-grandsons. Though Ruby was a lover of flowers, she would have instead appreciated a charitable contribution in her memory to the Danville First Church of God (3220 Harrodsburg Rd, Danville, KY 40422). 

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