Ruby Pauley, 94, of Cross Lanes, WV, went home to be with the Lord on January 28, 2024.

Ruby was born on January 5, 1930, to the late Thomas and Tempa Largen in Lester, West Virginia. She was a 1946 graduate of Trap Hill High School.  She spent the majority of her career as an executive assistant at Union Carbide in South Charleston, WV. She was a charter member of Riverlawn Presbyterian Church in St. Albans, and later a member of Cross Lanes United Methodist Church.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Denver “Chick” P. Pauley, her special friend Charlie Smith, and five siblings (four sisters and one brother).  She is survived by her loving daughter, Diana Kessler (Mike) of Cross Lanes, WV; grandsons, Jeremy Beakes (Sarah) of Wilmington, NC, Benjamin Beakes (Sarah) of Cross Lanes, WV, and Jeffrey Beakes (Brittany) of Charleston, SC; and great-grandchildren: Chloe, Sadie, Cooper, Ruby Kate, and Parker.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who adored her.

From humble beginnings in Southern West Virginia, Ruby moved to Charleston to create a new life for herself.  Throughout her life, Ruby established herself as the matriarch of the family.  Ruby was often described as the sweetest lady you’ve ever met.  She was well known for her meticulous lawn.  Wearing her straw hat, neighbors passed by and waved as she worked outside.  Ruby prepared meals for many over the years.  No birthday was ever complete without her homecooked meal.  Rides home from school, cheering in sporting events, helping with school projects – there wasn’t much Ruby couldn’t do.

Ruby always had the company of her loving daughter, Diana, who cared for her in her final days.  Ruby was most proud of her daughter and how she raised her sons (Ruby’s grandsons), the Beakes Boys, who she referred to as her pride and joy.  The boys loved their MaMaw dearly.  The impact she had on their lives will continue to be seen as they love their families in the same spirit as she loved them.  They will continue to fight with each other about who MaMaw’s “favorite” was!

A service to Honor the Life of Ruby will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston, with Rev. J.F. Lacaria officiating. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be held in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens in Cross Lanes.

Memories of Ruby may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.