The celebration of the life of Mrs. Ruby Mae Alvern Greeley and the bon voyage for her homecoming will be Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of Elkins Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jeff Tunnell, of Big Bear Christian Center in Big Bear City, Calif., officiating. Entombment will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens in Florence. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, Oct. 11, 2005, from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Alvern went to be with her Jesus on Sunday morning, Oct. 9, at the age of 67. Jesus was the love and the center of her life. She brought new meaning to the term, "joy to the Lord." She was effervescent with the joy and love of the Lord. She fell in love with her husband, Gene, when she was 9; he was 13. They met at church and were married when she was 16. Alvern became a mom at 17. She was devoted firstly to the Lord, secondly to her husband. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an example of the life of Christ and permeated with his love. Her philosophy in life was, "You can do anything you want." She loved music, her Grand piano, gardening and loving people, which was a special gift given to her. No matter how different an opinion was from hers, she would always listen. Her children shared that their mom was an encouragement, a teacher of the love of Christ, giving, loving, unselfish, self-sacrificing, inspiring and a perfect example of Christian love. Her grandchildren gave her the ultimate compliment by saying she was "cool" and "awesome." She and Gene moved to Florence from California in 1990. They owned and operated the Wood Avenue Bed and Breakfast for the past 14 years. Alvern was a member of First Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals. She was preceded in death by her dad, sister, grandmothers and grandfathers; first son, Douglas Lloyd; and great-granddaughter, Gracie. Alvern is survived by her loving husband, companion and friend of 51 years, Gene Greeley; daughters, Cathy Tarascou and Peter, of Leighton, Nancy Sue Donatelli and Carlos, of Florence; son, Geoffrey Gene Greeley and Karen, of Redlands, Calif.; mother, Ruby Mae Earp, of Riverside, Calif.; grandchildren, Jamie Cox and Wayford, Jim and Becky Parkinson, Jessica and Johnny Butler, Jolena Muffoletto, Jeremy Muffoletto, Jaqulyn Muffoletto, Kristina, Kalynn and Kassie Greeley; great-grandchildren, Stetson Parkinson, Shaylee Parkinson, Shyann Parkinson, Mackenzie Cox; brothers, Cliff Earp and Jimmie, of Apple Valley, Calif., Willie Don Earp and Livia, from Colton, Calif., K.R. "Zack" Earp and Judy, of Riverside, Calif. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The Greeley family would like to thank two very special Florence police officers who were at the emergency room Sunday morning. Special thanks to the officer who spoke these comforting words to the Greeley family, "God only picks the most beautiful bouquets." Thanks to all the staff at the hospital for the care and concern shown to us. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. -- Proverbs 31:10

Published in Florence Times Daily on October 11, 2005