Ruby Couch McDonald Freeman, departed this life and entered the next on October 8, 2017. She departed peacefully from her home surrounded by her sons. She was born May 14, 1920 in Yorkville, Paulding County, Georgia at the home of her maternal grandparents Campie White Ferguson and William Rubin Ferguson. She was the daughter of the late Nora Ferguson Couch and Calvin H. Couch. She was preceded in death by husbands, James Erwin McDonald, Sr.; and, Roy Alexander “Bud” Freeman. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Calvin H. Couch, Jr. and her granddaughter Melissa Jean McDonald.
Ruby is survived by her sister, Imogene Couch Maxey. Because she tried and failed three times to have a daughter, she is survived by her three sons, James E. McDonald, Jr. (Robyn) of Athens, Robert Dane McDonald (Janine) of Cleveland, TN, and Paul Wesley McDonald (Julie) of Augusta; four grandchildren, Neil McDonald, Sally McDonald Celia (Herve’), Grace McDonald, and Stephen McDonald; and two great grandchildren, Evangeline Marie Celia and James Vincent Celia. She is also survived by a niece and three nephews.
Ruby is also survived by her Freeman family, Richard Freeman and family, Debby Freeman Bauer and Family, and Carol Freeman McClain and family.
She married Erwin on October 6, 1939 and began her career as a homemaker and devoted wife and mother. They reared their family in Atlanta until 1965 when they moved to Fairburn, GA. During her life Ruby taught children’s Sunday school and was an assistant teacher at her church’s pre-school program. She had a gift for redirecting and calming children and teaching them. With three sons spaced over fourteen years, she was an elementary school grade mother for years, organizing numerous Halloween carnival room exhibits and other activities. Ruby was also a wonderful homemaker and hostess though she never learned to cook low calorie meals.
On June 13, 1987 Ruby married Bud Freeman and commenced nineteen years of happiness with her second family. She doubled her efforts and mothered and enjoyed two families with ease.
Ruby moved to Athens in 2009, three years after Bud’s passing, to be near family. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Athens, the warmth and friendliness of which always filled her with joy and nourished her spiritually.
Ruby was also a member of that “Greatest Generation” which withstood and overcame the great depression and World War II, and demonstrated what America could be.
We would like to thank ACT Home Care and St. Mary’s Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of mother.
In lieu of flowers please give to First Presbyterian Church of Athens Building fund or, The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia, C/O 3320 Old Jefferson Road, Athens, GA 30607.
The family will have a private burial at graveside on the morning of October 11, 2017. The afternoon of October 11, 2017 at 2:00pm at First Presbyterian Church of Athens a memorial service will be held with a reception at the church. Dr. John Kipp and Dr. Bruce Lancaster will conduct the service.
Lord & Stephens West is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com