Crystal Wilcox

Aspen Mortuaries - Lakewood

Altogether<br/>4307 Vineland Road, Suite H-17-19, Orlando, FL 32811<br/>For more information, visit our website at <a href='www.altogetherfuneral.com'>www.altogetherfuneral.com</a><br/>Copyright © 2025 FPG Intermediate Holdco, LLC

Melva Lane Heath Ruby, 80, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on January 13, 2024.

Melva was born on July, 24, 1943 in Charlotte to Frank Earle Heath, Sr and Gladys Knox Heath. She remained a lifelong resident of Charlotte and attended Myers Park High School and Kings Business college. In 1966, she married William Leslie Ruby and together they raised two children, Sharon and David. In her early years, she worked at Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith and later worked with McMillan, Surles, and Terry Law Firm. The one job that had her heart for many years was teaching at St Stephen United Methodist Church Preschool. She loved the children, and they loved her.
Melva was loved and admired for her unconditional love for her family and friends. She was well known for the cards she sent out for every holiday or for no reason other than to reach out to others. She was interested in other people, and you could always count on her being there for you. Melva was a giver and the kindest person who never met a stranger.
She was involved in every part of her children’s’ school life from elementary school crossing guard to President of the PTA and Athletic Boosters in middle and high school. She was always in attendance at her son’s baseball games or her daughter’s swim meets and loved to cheer them on. Melva’s church was very important to her. She was very involved with the youth ministry when Sharon and David were young.
Melva was lovingly called “Gam” by her four grandchildren that adored her as she did them. Just like with her children she was there for everything her grandchildren were involved in. She was their biggest fan and supporter and loved to watch their baseball games, soccer games, and golf matches. In her eyes, they were perfect and could do no wrong.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill, of 58 years, her brother, Earle Heath, and brother-n-law, Harry Nurkin.
She is survived by her two children, Sharon Ruby Psaroudis and David Ruby (Michelle) her four grandchildren, Will Ruby (Hannah), Haden Ruby, Michael and Sydney Psaroudis. Melva is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Nurkin, nieces, Eliza Brenkus (Brett) and Lane Drury, along with a very large and loving extended family.
The family wishes to say a special thank you to Hospice. They made her comfortable in her last days. We would also like to thank her doctors and staff at Levine Cancer Institute. Without them we would have had to say goodbye sooner than we did. Lung Cancer is not a kind disease.
A service to celebrate Melva’s life will be held at St. Stephen United Methodist Church at 12:00 noon on February 3, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospice of Charlotte, P.O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247.

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Melva Ruby Obituary | Altogether