Ruby Lee Fulghum Floyd

Ruby Lee Fulghum Floyd, 94, entered Heaven on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee, after a brief hospital stay. Born on March 23, 1930, she was the youngest of ten children to Claudia Lee Boykin Fulghum and Sidney Jarvis Fulghum. Ruby grew up in Rock Ridge, North Carolina, where she graduated from Rock Ridge High School. She later attended King’s Business School in Raleigh, where she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Joseph Floyd of Rutledge, Tennessee, who was studying at NC State. They married on April 22, 1950, and settled in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they built a life together.

 Ruby and Bill raised three children: Marsha Lynne, William Gregory (Greg), and Melinda Susan. In 1963, they moved to the Halls community, where Ruby became a beloved member of the neighborhood. Having given her heart to the Lord at an early age, the family began attending Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Halls Crossroads. In September 1970, Ruby began working at Beaver Dam Baptist Church Day Care. Over the next 40 years, she devoted herself to teaching and loving children, serving as both a teacher and later as Director until her retirement in 2010 at the age of 80. Ruby’s dedication touched generations of families, with parents, children, and grandchildren all benefiting from her care.

 Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; her siblings Hubert, Wade, Raiford, Sidney, Willis, Sallie, Eula, Pitie, and Claudia; her daughter Marsha Partin; and other cherished family members. She is survived by her son Greg Floyd (Alta) of Knoxville; daughter Melinda Bales (Victor) of Corryton; grandchildren Kara Franklin (Norman), Erin Matarrese (Mic), Leah Ailey (Matt), and Jordon (JJ) Jennings (Rachel); great-grandchildren Tommy, Coco, Alex Franklin, Ruby Matarrese, and Milo Ailey; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She will also be deeply missed by her longtime neighbor Shannon Lett and special caregiver Ashton Mont.

 The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 PM. A private family interment will take place on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Avondale Cemetery in Rutledge, Tennessee, with Dr. Allen Price officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beaver Dam Baptist Church, where Ruby was a devoted member since 1963. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com 

A livestream of the service will be available at 7:00pm at the following web address: www.facebook.com/hallslivestream