Ruby Bowen, 91, of Hillsville passed away on November 23, 2007 in Galax. She was born in Carroll County on April 29, 1916 to Sydney and Elvira Bowen. The Bowens farmed at Cap, VA until Rubys mother died in 1928, at which time they moved to Woodlawn to farm with Rubys grandmother, Margaret Bowen. In 1960 Ruby and her dad moved to Hillsville. Ruby cared for her dad until he passed away in 1967. Ruby then went back to college and earned a nursing degree. She worked at Waddell Nursing Home for 17 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Hazel and Clara; brother Glen; nephew Bobbie and niece Doris. Ruby is survived by her niece and spouse Diane and Ben Syme, grandnieces Tammy Groom and Teresa Stegeman, all of Idaho; grandnephew Harry Carino of Delaware; and numerous cousins. Rubys family gives special thanks to Vera Edmonds and daughters of Woodlawn for their unselfish love and devotion to Rubys care. Thanks also to Pastor Jim and Nancy Longest and the friends at Oak Grove Baptist Church. We can never say enough thanks to her neighbors the Akers, Walls, Beasleys, and Evelyn Newman.

The funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Vaughan Guynn McGrady Chapel, with Rev. Jim Longest officiating. Burial will follow in the Bowen Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 26, 2007 from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.