Ruby Dean Blackaby, 67 years young, of Clinton, MO. passed away at 8:05am  February 21, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri due to complications after surgery.  Visitation will be on Sunday, February 25 from 5-7pm at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home,Clinton and funeral service will be on Monday, February 26 at 1pm also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Parks Chapel Cemetery, Tightwad, Missouri. Family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and may be left in care of funeral home.  Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Ruby was born September 23, 1950 in Stockton, MO. to Armel and Zeffie (Campbell) Montgomery.  She grew up and attended school in the Stockton and Humansville, MO. area.  Ruby went to work at Rival Manufacturing, Co. of Clinton, MO. in 1975 where she met Harold Dean Blackaby.  Ruby and Harold were married in Weaubleau, MO. December 24, 1977 and from then on, Ruby and Harold were always together whether it was going to the antique malls/stores looking for unicorns, Indian articles or coal oil lamps, raising and riding horses, family gatherings, going on trips(whether it was seeing the country or heading to the casinos to see and hear the lights and sounds of the machines when she won.  Ruby even had Harold helping with her famous Christmas candy she made for friends and family EVERY YEAR.  Ruby started her working career in Bolivar, MO. and was working at Tracker Marine in Clinton, MO. at the time of her passing.  You can ask anyone she worked with and they would tell you she was dedicated, hardworking and very seldom missed a days work.  Ruby was a person that let you know her opinion and you didn't have to question how she felt.  Ruby loved her children and family, but most of all her love for Harold was known by all.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; 2 grandchildren, Bridgett Martin and Christopher Martin; and half sister Geneva Meyers.

Ruby is survived by husband Harold Dean (Blackie) Blackaby of Clinton, MO.; children, Tina Martin and Tammy Coffin of Clinton, MO., and Calvin (Donna) Blackaby of Lockberg, Ark; a sister Carol Lucas (Bill) of Cole Camp, MO; brother Roy (Dorothy) Hunt of Bolivar, MO.; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.