Ruby Ovene Cook-Starks nee Smotherman was born April 27, 1927 and was promoted to her heavenly home on November 1, 2021. She was born in Birch Tree, MO to Everett and Jessie Smotherman
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 52 years Joseph E Cook and her husband of 20 years Floyd D Starks; her children JoEllen Woods, Larry Cook, Dennis Cook and Clydene Cook; her brothers Leonard, Ray & John Smotherman and her sisters Claris Scates & Grace Shirley Heather.
She is survived by her grandchildren Ryan (Jackie) Voss, Timothy (Melissa) Cook, Andrew (Jennifer) Cook, Christa (Steven) Wright, Jennifer (Robert) Durbin and Scott Cook; her great-grandchildren Paige Cook, Andrew Cook Jr, Brenden Cook, Isabel Wright, Makayla Wright, Morgan Baker, Blake Cook, Mackenzie Voss, Chase Cook, Sydney Cook, Samuel Cook, Brooklyn Voss and Raelynn Durbin; her step-children Ronnie Starks, Debrah (David) Mantle and Michael (Judy) Starks; her brother Jerry (Lois) Smotherman; her step-grandchildren & great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many other family & friends.
Ruby was an ordained minister. She was a member of the Bibleway Association for 50+ years and pastored Bibleway Assembly along with her husband for many years. She ministered to thousands of people over her time. She lived 75 years of her life for Jesus and never once lost her faith even through the trials of her life. You could not meet her and not love her because of the sweet spirit she carried with her. She would always pray for someone when they needed it and was always willing to help someone when they asked. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She longed to see her savior face to face and to be reunited with her loved ones that went before her. She was the best example of what a true Christian should be and passed that on to everyone around her. She leaves behind a great legacy of faith, love, joy, strength and goodness. She will be greatly missed here on earth but her loved ones rejoice in heaven’s gain and long to see her again one day soon.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, nor shall there by mourning, nor crying, nor pain, for the former things have passed away. – Revelation 21:4
Services: Funeral at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Sat. Nov. 6, 10 a.m. (Burial will be Mon. Nov. 8, 1:15 p.m. at J.B. National Cemetery) Visitation Fri. Nov. 5, 4-8 p.m.