Ruby Hurst

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Ruby Amelia Hurst, age 105, of Columbus, KS, passed away peacefully at 7:37 PM, Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Autumn Place in Columbus, Kansas, following a sudden illness.

Ruby was born on the family farm outside of Walnut, Kansas on April 17, 1915. She was the daughter of John and Elsie (Gass) Sampsel. Ruby graduated from Walnut High School with the class of 1933 and shortly after began an apprenticeship in cosmetology, working at several Parsons, KS beauty shops. She received her cosmetology license and was a licensed hair stylist for over 50 years.

On November 13, 1938, she married Roy F. Hurst in Walnut, KS and they were married 59 years. In 1941 they would move to Columbus and started the Hurst Firestone Store. Roy and Ruby owned this store on the east side of the Columbus square for 33 years before retiring in 1972. Ruby worked in the store for many years.

Ruby was a member of the First Christian Church, Columbus; Purcell Chapter Order of the Eastern Star member for over 60 years, and served on the Board of the Columbus Hospitality Center for Seniors. One of Ruby's favorite pastimes was dancing and when the music started, she rarely missed a dance. She continued attending the Senior dances in Columbus well into her 90's. Playing Skip-Bo, baking cookies for her grandchildren, and tending to her flowers were also things she enjoyed.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy in July of 1998, and her three sisters, Orlean Harding, Walnut, Genevieve McCray, Columbus, and Virginia Christy, Pittsburg.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Schmidt (Brad) of Webb City, MO, and Barbara Buckner (Brent) of Oklahoma City, OK; Four grandchildren, Beth Kilpatrick (Gary) of Hewitt, TX, Belinda McAuliffe (Chris) of Oklahoma City, OK, Cory Schmidt (Chrissy) of Webb City, MO, and Chad Schmidt (Amanda) of Webb City, MO; Ten great grandchildren, Riley McAuliffe (Lindsay) of Grand Forks, ND, Reed McAuliffe, Blackwell, OK, Rhett McAuliffe, Oklahoma City, OK, Emily and Cade Kilpatrick, Hewitt, TX, Corbin Schmidt, Hopkins MN, Courtney Schmidt, Webb City, MO and Alex Schmidt, Alivia and Sydney Johnson, all of Webb City, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours will be Thursday from 10 AM-4 PM at Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus, Kansas. Graveside services will be held on Friday at 2:00 PM at Park Cemetery.