RUBY FAYE (Rone) FOUNTAIN was born December 16, 1924, to parents Henry Rone and Effie Pickle Rone of Attala County near Ethel, Mississippi. Ruby was an excellent student and graduated from Ethel High School in 1942. She then graduated from Holmes Community College in 1944, and in 1946 she earned a B.S. in Home Economics from Mississippi State College for Women. Upon graduation, she immediately went to work as a teacher in the Ackerman School District from 1946-1948. She served the following two years, 1949-1951, as the Home Demonstration Agent for Scott County.
Moving to Forest, MS in 1949 for the job as Home Demonstration Agent, she caught the eye of Norman Fountain, whom she would soon marry and be wed for 60+ years. That was also the year she began her lifetime membership and service with Forest Baptist Church. Her church and spiritual life were important to her, contributing to the way she lived, raised her family, ran her household, conducted her relationships and her business affairs; and how she would relate to an expanding family and community. She knew who she was, and to whom she belonged. After years of raising children, she joined her husband at Fountain Oil Company in 1978, working with him in various administrative capacities until they retired and sold their business locations in 1999.
Ruby was a disciplined individual, setting high standards for herself and for her children. That was what many might have seen from a distance…who did not know her well. Under that disciplined and sometimes stern exterior, was the gentle, compassionate, loving side seen by those she served, especially those who were hurting. She had a sense of humor and loved a good laugh at the antics of her grandchildren, in whom she could never find a flaw. Having lost a son, she was particularly tender and attentive to families who had experienced a similar loss. Her grandchildren were also a major focus of her later years. To say she was fully engaged with her grown children and grandchildren would be a huge understatement. Age was no barrier to her urging and planning for any opportunity or event to bring the family together..the whole family; well into adulthood. To this day, these grandchildren have built bonds with each other that remain strong to this day...just like she planned it. Every summer and at least twice a year, there were trips to the pond at the Old Home Place in Ethel, trips to Table Rock Lake, the mountains, Lilly’s Landing, Disneyworld, Dollywood, and others; and of course the beach. Christmas and other holidays also offered opportunities to gather, and she would make it happen. The beach was a particular labor of love because she definitely did not love the beach; but that’s where the grands would be, and their families. Of course, she would insist and bring Norman along too. The games would be pulled out, the puzzles that always seemed to be missing a piece, and the endless dominoes games of Mexican Train where well, “mistakes” were often made.
Ruby Fountain lived as a person who had no time to waste, and she wasted none of her 98+ years. She spent that time, constantly seeking ways to meet the needs of her family and loved ones; many of whom were under her direct or indirect care at some point in their lives. Even after the death of her husband Norman in 2013, she picked herself up in her grief and got back to work, living independently in her own home until she couldn’t live any longer on her terms. She is at peace today, and made whole again, with the Lord she often spoke with and sang to, especially in her last weeks and days.
Ruby Faye Rone Fountain is preceded in death by her husband Norman Neil Fountain, her son Norman Neil Fountain, Jr.; her parents Henry and Effie Pickle Rone; sister Ethel Brunt; brothers Clyde Rone, Joe Rone, and Harold Rone; and sister-in-law Fay Rone.
Survivors include daughter JoLynn Fountain Smith (Paul) and their children Kayla Smith (Kevin) Kanak, and great-grandson Reagan Smith, all of Nederland, TX; and Dr. Stephen Smith, New York, NY. Also surviving daughter Lori Faye Fountain McGraw (Bill) and their four children Erin M. McGraw (Dr. Gil Green) of Corinth, MS; Norman Neil McGraw (Dr. Sarah Stoner McGraw) of Flora, MS; Corley Rone McGraw Woodson (Bowen); and Mary Sibley McGraw of Starkville, MS. Great-grandchildren are:
Walt Green and Ruby Green; Wyatt McGraw and Grace McGraw; Ada Woodson and Grant Woodson.
The family asks that gifts and memorials be made to Forest Baptist Church, Forest, Mississippi
OTT & LEE Funeral Home of Forest is honored to serve the Fountain family.
Saturday, April 1, 2023
10:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Forest Baptist Church
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)
Forest Baptist Church
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