Ruby Estelle Oates

Ruby Estelle Oates of Groesbeck passed away Friday, December 25, 2020 at Groesbeck LTC at the age of 104.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 PM on Monday, December 28, 2020 prior to services.

Funeral services will begin at 2 PM on Monday, December 28, 2020 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Richard Williams and Bro. Glenn Easterly officiating.  Burial will follow at Fort Parker Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Scott Johns, Colson Johns, Wesley White, Shane McLean, Cameron Henderson and Chip Henderson.

Ruby was born on July 27, 1916 in the Old Union Community to Arnold and Alice (Brown) White. She married Oryce Oates in 1933 and was widowed in 1947.  Ruby didn’t remarry for 15 years until 1962 to Clyde Sparks.  She dedicated her life to raising her only child, James and worked as a telephone operator in Groesbeck and the Mexia State School for a short time.

After remarrying in 1962, the family moved to Dallas and Ruby worked as a switch board operator for a few years and then for Sears where she later retired.  After retirement she and Clyde moved back to Groesbeck in the mid 1970’s to be close to her aging parents and she later became the primary caregiver for her mother, Alice until her death.   Ruby loved cooking and checking on her cattle in Old Union.

Ruby is preceded in death by her husbands, Oryce Oates (1947) and Clyde Sparks (2000); parents, A.W. White and wife Alice; siblings, Hazel Henderson and Olin White.

Ruby is survived by her son, James Oates and wife Sharon; grandchildren, Jeff Oates, Jenny Oates Johns and husband Scott; great-grandchildren, Addison Oates, Colson Johns and Ashlyn Johns; brother, Nolen White and wife Shirley and many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of which she was very close to.  The family also would like to thank her devoted caregiver, Maria Hart for all of the love and care she gave.